COVER

Imran Khan's Game Plan (World)

Pakistan's greatest sporting hero believes
 he will be the next prime minister. Would he lead his country to redemption — or ruin?

WORLD

History's Child (South Korea)

If she wins South Korea's presidential election on Dec. 19, Park Geun-hye will become her nation's first female leader. But to guide her country into the future, she must overcome the past

A Wave of Patriotism (Japan)

As Japan goes to the polls to elect a new government, the country's mood is the most nationalistic in decades. Expect tensions in the rest of East Asia to rise

Confessions Of A Sniper

A rebel gunman in Syria talks about his disillusionment with the cause — and one soul-shattering decision

UNITED STATES

Cliff Hanger

What Paul Ryan's vote on a fiscal-cliff deal will tell us about his political future — and the direction of the Republican Party

COMMENTARY

Obamacare vs. Medicare (In the Arena)

Meshing the two plans could lead to better care and savings for taxpayers

THE CULTURE

Seeing Green (Travel)

Tokyo makes its case for environmental urban living

ESSAY

Driving Miss Barbra (The Awesome Column)

Seth Rogen road-trips with Streisand in a movie. I pull it off for real

10 QUESTIONS

LETTERS

Scandal at the BBC (Inbox)

Dangerous Liaisons; Disputed Protests; Himmler's Family; Big Brother in Moscow; The Way Joel Sees It