COVER
The Soldier And the State
The U.S. wants to talk to Burma's junta, but Washington must first do its homework on the general known as Grandfather
WORLD
How to Rig an Election
A former top U.N. official recounts the fraud he witnessed during Afghanistan's presidential vote — and why he lost his job for speaking up
Saudi Arabia's Small Steps for Women
Women are steadily winning rights and greater freedom. A look behind the veil of a society
LETTERS
Inbox
ASIA
Shifting Sands
In the wake of bloody ethnic clashes in China's stark Xinjiang region in July, photographer Q. Sakamaki captures how minority Uighur life is changing — and dying
TECHNOLOGY
Wave New World
Google's latest product combines communication, collaboration and media-sharing into one insanely useful app. Is this the new e-mail?
ESSAY
Unnatural Disasters
The countries worst hit by catastrophes are the ones that are least able to handle them