Dispatches
The Wonder Drug Myth
Even the pharmaceutical industry's best products are imperfect, working in only half—or fewer—patients. It's time for better targeting.
Dante Alighieri: Epic Poet, Ass Kicker
Will the new video-game version of Dante's Inferno prove the perfect model for introducing readers to difficult classics?
Slip-Sliding Through Georgetown
The rich really are different from you and me ... especially in their snow shoveling habits.
Pro-Life Takes on Pop Culture
What the Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad says about the state of the abortion debate—and what it doesn’t.
Is John Edwards Done Forever?
Other politicians have come back from scandal. Can he? We ask nine image experts how they’d rebuild his brand.
When Autism Stars
HBO's new Temple Grandin biopic breaks the Rain Man mold—finally demonstrating that an autistic lead character doesn't have to be a mere collection of tics.
No Room for Reagan
Even the Gipper would fail the litmus test that conservatives have created in his name.
No Room for Reagan
Even the Gipper would fail the litmus test that conservatives have created in his name.
Don't Panic About China
Why we should embrace—rather than fear—the next superpower.
New Sound, Old Strategy
The band Salem plays a 21st-century blend of rap, techno, rock, and metal. But don’t look for their music on iTunes—they release only albums on vinyl.
Jersey Shore Joins the Canon
From Pride and Prejudice to Archie to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Jersey Shore is following in a longstanding artistic tradition of humiliation and bad decisions at the beach.
Island of Lost Children
Human traffickers find easy prey amid the rubble of Haiti.
Making Sense of the Golden Globes
Movie producer Lynda Obst reports on this year's A-list Golden Globe parties, and offers the inside track on what the main event's latest trends portend for the future of the industry.
Be Like Reagan
On Iran, Obama should talk about democracy and support the demonstrators—but give the regime a chance to negotiate.
Can Sports Bring World Peace?
Last week's deadly attack on Togo's soccer team is just the latest evidence that—heartwarming Olympic stories and movies like Invictus aside—athletics are no panacea.
The Decline of the Racist Insult
The Harry Reid scandal is entirely the creation of journalism. Reid will survive, but the press has a lot to answer for.
Did George W. Bush Doom Mark McGwire?
Somebody blocked the baseball slugger from getting an immunity deal.
The Money Pit
An abortion-rights PAC, Republicans for Choice, raises millions from donors. How come so little of that goes to elect pro-choice politicians?
Coaches Gone Wild
The BCS football championship game is this week. But all the action is off the field.
2009: The View from
Our Bloggers
Obama’s inauguration and Sotomayor’s confirmation, the economic crisis and the unraveling of Iran. From just about every angle, 2009 was one hell of a year. Here's what our bloggers had to say about the year's biggest stories. (Additional reporting by Jenny Merkin)
We Regret the Error
Five Atlantic predictions of the past decade we’d like to take back.
Blogger vs. Blogger
The most contentious disputes of the year at TheAtlantic.com.
The Decade in Gadgets
A then-and-now look at the technologies in our lives.
Life, Interrupted
Brittany Murphy's short career will forever be defined by her breakthrough role.
Obama's Modest Proposal
The U.S. managed to reach an eleventh-hour agreement with China, Brazil, South Africa, or India. But are the terms too vague and lenient to make a difference?
How They Lived
A gallery of eminent Americans who died in 2009.
The Top Pop Culture Moments of the Decade
From Radiohead and James Frey to Jackass and Jersey Shore, 10 daring and sometimes inane creative acts that defined the ’00s.
Obama Plays Hardball
In his eight-minute speech, the U.S. president reprimanded the members of the Copenhagen summit for writing "empty words"
Better Luck Next Year
Copenhagen has proven that the world is not ready to sync policy with science. The best hope is to lay the groundwork for a more ambitious future treaty.
In Copenhagen, U.S. vs. China
With a superpower standoff dominating the climate summit, Hillary Clinton attempts a game-changer.
Triumph and Tragedy in Indian Country
The Cobell Indian Trust lawsuit—settled last week—brought tremendous changes to the way Indian affairs are managed. Unfortunately, those changes will result in few real improvements to people's lives.
A Decade of Defiance
From Katherine Harris to Sandra Day O'Connor to the attorneys in the Bush Justice Department, the major players in American law have demonstrated unrepentant stubbornness.
The Truth About Tamiflu
Has the U.S. wasted $1.5 billion on an ineffective drug?
Toy Wonders & Blunders
In the world of toy marketing, triumphs are measured in units moved, but toy failures, too, can become their own kind of legend. We spoke with toy experts Tim Walsh and Cliff Annicelli to gain insight into some of the toys from recent decades that have caused crazes—and others that in retrospect seem just plain crazy.
Let's Go, Europe
In Afghanistan, NATO countries are stingy with their soldiers - but the U.S. can't give up on their support.
Mayors vs. Governors
Why big city pols are frustrated with Obama’s agenda—and why statehouses love it.
The Green Façade
LEED-certified buildings are clean, innovative, and environmentally friendly. But why are they wasting so much energy?
DC Media Insiders Give Gibbs a Grade: C+
Survey finds White House press secretary accessible but too often hostile to reporters.
A Condemnation of Sparkly Vampires
After decades of girls' fantasy novels featuring empowered, adventurous heroines, it's perplexing that the Twilight saga, featuring insipid Bella Swann, has so thoroughly captivated a generation of teenagers.
Rethinking the Mammogram Guidelines
Many are dismissing the new breast cancer recommendations as a hasty reversal of years of authoritative medical advice. But evidence weighing against screenings for women in their 40s has in fact been mounting for years.
Going Rogue: The Quiz
You’ve seen the interviews. You’ve read the instant reviews. You know everything about Sarah Palin’s new book. Or do you? Test your Palin-tology.
Khalid Sheik Mohammed and You
Prosecuting the alleged 9/11 mastermind in New York is a good thing. But try telling that to Americans who stood by as terror suspects were improperly treated.
The Nine Nations of China
An interactive map of China’s distinct regions, from Shangri-La to the Rust Belt, the Frontier to the Metropolis.
The PacMan's Power
With speed and brutality, Manny Pacquiao has won seven world-title belts in seven weight classes. He may just be the greatest fighter ever.
Obama-mania Sweeps China
The Chinese are preparing to greet Obama like a rock star, even as they outspokenly critique his policies.
Havel's Velvet Anniversary
Twenty years after the revolution that made him an unlikely world leader, Vaclav Havel commiserates with Obama, discusses the particular challenges of being a writer in public office, and offers advice to citizens of repressive regimes today.
The Fall of the Wall
We may have gained victory in the Cold War, but lost Europe to apathy and decadence in the process.
Kids Locked Up for Life
Should repeat juvenile offenders be sentenced to life in prison? Today the Supreme Court takes up the question.
Underestimating East Germany
Conventional wisdom says the East German economy is lagging. But its cities may be poised to outpace the west.
The Fall of 30 Rock
Choppy plotlines, repetitive gags, lack of conflicts—have Tina Fey & Co. lost their way?
Mexico's Abortion Wars
In 2007, Mexico City decriminalized first-trimester terminations. That decision triggered a backlash that has pro-choice activists on the defensive.
A Conversation With Gore Vidal
The American literary and cultural icon speaks out on the Polanski scandal, the Obama Presidency, the sexual exploits of Bill Clinton, and more.
What Obama's Nobel Really Means
A growing contingent wants Obama to lead a post-nationalist global society. If he does things right, the U.S. could become history's first truly international nation.
Scaring Our Kids
Death. Starvation. Dismemberment. From Where the Wild Things Are to Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, children’s films are hardly suitable for the wee ones.
How to Lobby Against Sex Ed
A retired Massachusetts businessman is using his fortune to jam abstinence-only programs into federal health care legislation.
Time for Decisiveness on Afghanistan
Obama needs to get behind his chosen general and put the spectacle of indecisiveness behind him. Otherwise, in the coming months, the Democrats may be seen as having lost a war. And if that happens, not even the Nobel Peace Prize will rescue his reputation.
Behind the Autism Statistics
The CDC now says that 1 in 100 Americans has autism. But is the epidemic real? It turns out that many children with other developmental problems are being given autism diagnoses just to get them state funding.
Power to the Patients
The mantra has always been: Doctor Knows Best. But consumers need to seize control of their own health care. And they can, thanks to advances in science and technology.
How to Talk to the Iranians
A former Iran embassy hostage offers some free advice to U.S. negotiators.
The Host with the Most
Ignore the odds-makers. Forget the vote. Who should host the Olympics?
The Bear Still Has Teeth
As the Obama administration's recent scrapping of plans for an Eastern European missile defense system makes clear, while Poland and the Czech Republic may be our allies, it is mighty Russia to whom we are wise to defer.
Pittsburgh, City of Renewal
A native Pittsburgher explains why the city makes an ideal backdrop for this year's G-20 summit.
How AIDS Became a Caribbean Crisis
Widespread homophobia has intensified the epidemic in Jamaica, where the HIV infection rate is an astounding 32 percent among gay men.
The Kindle Problem
Successful products need to offer great experience or great convenience. Amazon’s e-reader falls short on both.
Time to Get Real About World Order
Establishing stability—and eventually democracy—in the world's most troubled countries requires letting go of starry-eyed notions about self-government in the near term.
The Rise of the Professional Blogger
The blogosphere was supposed to democratize publishing and empower the little guy. Turns out, the big blogs are all run by The Man.
The Rise of the Band Geek
Glee, a new series on Fox, shows just how far portrayals of teen social life have evolved since the angst-ridden era of Breakfast Club.
Policing Afghanistan
Both the killing Wednesday morning of Afghanistan's deputy security chief and a new report from Afghanistan's top U.S. commander testify to the country's deteriorating security situation. Our correspondent explains why things won't improve without more support for the Afghan police.
The Netroots Effect
The Web was supposed to bring new citizens into the political process. A new study finds that’s just not happening.
Be Like Bush
Finesse alone won't get Obama through the challenges ahead. He needs to become more like his predecessor.
Song of the Decade, Videos for the Ages
The hip hop duo OutKast was recently credited with having produced the best single of the decade. But it's through their ingenious video artistry that they've managed to rise above comparison to pretty much anyone else.
So You Want to Write a Presidential Biography
The easy path to fame and riches as an author. Just follow my formula.
Why Ted Kennedy Was the Last of His Kind
For Kennedy, there was no contradiction between soaring, uncompromising goals and the messier work of fashioning imperfect legislative compromises.
Hungry in Guatemala
In a country plagued by chronic malnutrition, government solutions keep coming up short. The real problem: poverty and income inequality.
The Answer, My Friend ...
Our correspondent makes a pilgrimage to Bob Dylan's hometown in search of the source of his bizarre accent.
The Wrong Man for the Job
Obama's new ambassador to Iraq is a star diplomat—but has no experience in the Arab world. Why Christopher Hill is a bad choice.
Eunice the Formidable
Eunice Shriver thoroughly terrified her husband's biographer—and inspired his profound admiration. A reminiscence.
Music Pirates Will Be Music Pirates
The recording industry may be hoping that the steep damages awarded in its latest file-sharing suit sends would-be pirates a powerful message. But if the attitude of the young man the case has certainly bankrupted is any indication, that message has failed to sink in.
From Prisoner to Poet
Sentenced to nine years in prison at the age of sixteen for carjacking, R. Dwayne Betts discovered something unexpected while relegated to solitary confinement for assaulting a guard: a love of literature.
Revolution in the Classroom
States looking to win education stimulus funds and offer truly student-centric, customizable learning experiences, need to get their classrooms online.
G.I. Joe & Company
How does the new crop of Iraq War movies stack up against Vietnam-era fare? And how did such an unspeakably bad movie as G.I. Joe ever get made?
The Korea Trap
Bill Clinton may have secured the release of two American journalists, but as our correspondent, a South Korea-based professor of North Korean studies, reports, his trip to Pyongyang has troubling consequences too.
Losing Patience with Israel
More than democracy, Washington wants stability in the Middle East. That means leaning against the interests of the Jewish state.
Driving While Black
A study of Illinois traffic-stop data shows that police are more likely to ask to search cars driven by African-Americans—but whites are more likely to have contraband.
Mission Accomplished (And This Time It's True)
In the quest to build his presidential library, Bush has overcome political, legal, religious, and financial obstacles—and is succeeding where Reagan, Nixon, and JFK failed.
The Wilderness Wars
East Coast liberals want to protect public lands—but they don’t understand the West. Now a new approach to land management is emerging, and a new spirit of compromise is possible.
Eclipse at Sheshan Hill
Our correspondent reports from a hilltop observatory in Shanghai, where locals flocked to witness the eclipse of the century.
David Halberstam on Walter Cronkite
"He liked, indeed loved, being Walter Cronkite, being around all those celebrities, but it was as if he could never quite believe that he was a celebrity himself."
The Lessons of China and Iran
Uighur uprisings in China and political protests in Iran have dispelled the conventional wisdom about both countries. What should we expect next? Get ready for non-stop turbulence.
...With Functioning Kidneys for All
Surely we can find enough kidney donors for those who need transplants. But doing so will require creativity, boldness, and a sense of urgency—and experimenting with controversial ideas like donor chains and financial incentives.
Prime Time Nurse
A pair of new TV shows—HawthoRNe and Nurse Jackie—finally puts nurses front and center. One contributes to longstanding misconceptions about the profession, the other nails real-life nursing like never before.
Obama Cannot Afford to Get Iran Wrong
His instincts so far have been pitch-perfect.
Selling the Post Dinners
The publisher's email and invitation to one lawmaker show a different side of the story.
Hollywood Does the Financial Crisis
From The International to Drag Me to Hell to Public Enemies, the movie industry is turning to the financial meltdown for inspiration—with uneven results.
To Catch a Tiger
Sri Lanka's brutal suppression of the Tamil Tigers offers an object lesson in how to defeat an insurgency. Or does it?
Let the (2016) Games Begin!
Which sports have the best shot at attaining medal status—and which cities may be pulling ahead in the bid to host? The real competition starts long before the opening ceremonies.
On Voting Rights, the Court Finds Consensus
Behind the Act that helped elect Obama.
The Selling of Soccer
How Manchester United, the best team in the world, teamed up with a Chicago reinsurance firm.
Iran, Iraq, North Korea: What Now?
We may be about to witness the complete evaporation of the axis of evil.
Writing Out Loud
Bloggers Andrew Sullivan and Ta-Nehisi Coates give readers a chance to peer into their heads—and watch them change their minds.
Obama Shines in Cairo
In a brilliant speech, Obama extended the American dream to include the world's Muslims and put Iran on the defensive.
China’s Copper Road
Beijing is courting Santiago. Will Chileans come to like Chairman Mao more than Uncle Sam?
Mitt Romney Should Run GM
A modest proposal for President Obama.
Archie's Wedding Mistake
Riverdale’s favorite teen grows up—and chooses heiress Veronica over girl-next-door Betty. What a jughead!
"The War Is Bitter and Nasty"
A journalist in Africa relies on grim reports from a schoolteacher writing to him from inside the chaos of Somalia.
North Korea, the Next Iraq?
The hazards of overreacting to Kim Jong Il's nuclear tests.
Greed, Bankruptcy, and the Super Rich
Shady deals put a ritzy Montana ski resort at risk. Then along came a common-sense judge.
Playing it Safe at Cannes
Why this year's international film festival may fall short as a proving ground for innovation and adventure in moviemaking.
Shaking the Swine Flu
The immediate health crisis may have lifted, but in Mexico the most debilitating symptom—a crippled tourist economy—lingers on.
The Fanboys of Summer
From Star Trek and Transformers to X-Men and Terminator, four sci fi blockbusters show that Hollywood has found its inner geek. And that’s a good thing.
"Friending" Medvedev
Russia's president has launched a blog—comments included. Now citizens of this notoriously repressive country are offering him everything from policy advice to Alice Cooper concert tickets.
Obama the Untested
A look ahead to the crises—from Russian power plays to Israeli military strikes—that could really show us what the president is made of.
Is the Swine Flu Panic Overblown?
Yes. But it's still worth taking precautions.
Jeopardy! Smackdown
IBM is building a computer that can master Alex Trebek’s show. Genius Ken Jennings wants a crack at it.
Skip the Prom, Play Pro Ball
High school junior Jeremy Tyler wants to play in the NBA. The best way to get there: drop out and head to Europe.
Do the Palestinians Really Want a State?
Why landlessness may be its own source of power.
The Truth About the Somali Pirates
Eliza Griswold considers who the pirates really are—and why it may require a reassertion of Islamic leadership to keep them in check.
A U.S. Attorney's Story
Dan Bogden, one the nine U.S. attorneys infamously axed by the Bush Administration, may never get to the bottom of his mysterious firing. But he just might soon have his old job back.
Coming Home to Rwanda
In a surprising turn of events, a new alliance between Rwanda and Congo is drawing many former Hutu guerrillas home to live at peace among their former enemies.
State of Play: A Portrait of the Journalist as a Fallible Man
For a Hollywood star vehicle, State of Play offers an unusually nuanced look at the life of the investigative reporter.
The Pavilion Wars
The upcoming World's Fair should offer the chance to build a showpiece U.S. pavilion. But thanks to behind-the-scenes maneuverings and State Department incompetence, we may end up with a Chinese-funded pavilion—or no pavilion at all.
The Two Faces of U.S. Drug Policy
The Obama Administration is cheerleading Mexico’s drug war as it reins in our own.
Talking to the Taliban
Why the Pakistan intelligence agency's close ties with the Taliban should not be condemned.
The Real Arms Race
In the foreseeable future, artificial limbs may be able to perform as well as or better than natural ones.
Learning to Live with Kim Jong Il
North Korea plans to launch a missile test this week. Here's why we shouldn't just shoot the sucker down.
Saving Afghanistan
Even though the situation on the ground is better than most people think, the war is on track to be the longest in U.S. history. Americans, says one Army general, need to show "strategic patience."
The Hipster Depression
What happens to fledgling bands when the market goes bust?
Joss Whedon and the Real Girl
The creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly has shown an uncanny understanding of female psychology. But in his new TV show, Dollhouse, the characters so far feel plastic.
The Shrinking Superpower
Why the recession could spell the end of American dominance.
A Silver Lining for Mitteleuropa
Despite a week of disappointments, Central and Eastern Europe might not be in such bad shape after all.
In Defense of the Kindle
A rare books librarian contends that the Amazon Kindle will promote the culture of letters, not undermine it.
Resisting the Kindle
Critic and essayist Sven Birkerts comments on what we lose in the page-to-screen transfer.
Truth over Happiness
First and foremost, Americans want honesty from the Oval Office.
An Early End to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic?
A pioneering AIDS researcher contends that the tools to end the epidemic may already be at hand.
Real People, Not Slumdogs
Just hours after Slumdog Millionaire picked up its eighth Oscar, our correspondent visited the Mumbai neighborhood depicted in the film and gauged reactions.
Oscar Weekend Buzz
Movie producer Lynda Obst gives the scoop on two of Oscar weekend's biggest A-list parties, and makes some informed Oscar predictions.
A Diminished Oscar Season
Movie producer Lynda Obst on why this year's Oscars will be a bust—at a time when Hollywood can least afford them to be.
Jerusalem's Power Broker
Israeli far-right politician Avigdor Lieberman may have lost out to Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni in the race for prime minister. But now he’s poised to throw his support to one of his former rivals—and in effect select the next leader.
Hillary's Road Trip
The itinerary for Clinton's first overseas trip as Secretary of State signals that Asia is the strategic focal point of this century.
Does A-Rod Have a Date With Congress?
As with the banks, the real danger to Major League Baseball is not about the star players; it’s about what remains hidden.
Minnesota Re-Re-Recount
A new twist in the Norm Coleman-Al Franken Senate race recount trial throws Franken's victory into question, and promises to extend the already seemingly endless court battle indefinitely.
A Car for the Everyday Man
A Chinese car maker promising affordable, gas-free driving stakes its claim at the Detroit Auto Show. But it still has something to learn about presentation.
Fear Hath No Shelf-Life: Our Torture Dilemma
"While torture is bad, the thoroughly humane approach, contrary to our desires, has its limits."
When No News Is Bad News
A former managing editor of The Chicago Tribune probes the collapse of the newspaper industry and tries, mostly in vain, to find hope for the future of journalism.
The Inauguration of Barack Obama
A groundling's-eye view.
Russia and Ukraine: Cold Snap
Much more than just a disagreement over prices is pushing Moscow to take a hard line in its gas dispute with Kiev.
Reblock Yourself the Polly Frost Way!
Do you suffer from blogaholism, Twitteritis, RSS Dependency, or Status Update Disorder? Then this is the seminar for you...
Iran's Postmodern Beast in Gaza
"Israel has, in effect, launched the war on the Iranian empire that President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, in particular, can only have contemplated."
Small World
Market crashes are inevitable, but financial innovation and globalization have massively increased our vulnerability to them. Unless we make big regulatory changes—changes on a global scale—we should prepare for more years like this one.
Somalia Revisited
As Somalia continues to devolve into chaos, it has become a breeding ground for terrorists and a human-rights nightmare. Journalist Eliza Griswold visited the country and spoke with Somali leaders and ordinary Somalis alike, seeking insight into the nation's problems and a possible way forward.
Those Greek Riots
"Pay close attention to Greece; at a time of world-wide economic upheaval, it might eerily presage disturbances elsewhere in 2009"
Ghana: Africa's Rising Star
A peaceful and well-conducted national election bodes well for democracy in Ghana and the rest of Africa.
Obama's Afghanistan Hurdles
Robert D. Kaplan on how Obama can improve the situation in Afghanistan so as to free himself up for pressing economic matters.
Scrapped
For the last decade or so, scrap metal has been the largest volume export from the United States to China. But with the economy in a tailspin, unclaimed scrap metal is starting to pile up at China's ports.
One Day in Bangkok
An on-the-ground report from a city of closed airports, disbanded political parties, and rolicking protests.
The Hope for Audacity
Todd Gitlin assesses the difference between Obama's outlook and that of FDR and LBJ, and considers what it will take for him to succeed in office.
Behind Mumbai
Robert D. Kaplan offers insight into the Hindu-Muslim tensions festering within India.
Obama's Foreign Policy: Buying in at the Bottom
"George W. Bush ... has poised America for a diplomatic rebound, which the next administration will get the credit for carrying out."
North Korea: Nothing Has Changed
"To hope that a new administration in Washington can build trust with the North Koreans where their most sympathetic blood-brethren have so abjectly failed would be to take American exceptionalism to a new extreme."
Medvedev Spoils the Party
It will take more than Obama's electoral triumph to improve the United States' strained relations with Russia.
The Tribal Fallacy
Why the counterinsurgency tactics that seem to have worked so well in Iraq could backfire in Pakistan.
Rednecks for Obama
"It would be a mistake to conclude that Appalachia is not sharing in the moment’s resurgence of American optimism."
Obama-Man
Is the new American president Africa’s long-awaited superhero?
Vanity School Fair
Washington's elite private schools are scrambling for the Obamas' daughters.
Yes We Did. Overcome.
The author, who was among the activists in Chicago's Grant Park during the 1968 Democratic Convention, reflects on Obama's unifying spirit as part of the lost legacy of the sixties.
What’s Next for Affirmative Action?
How Barack Obama's role as America's first black president could affect race-based preference programs.
Too Much Partying?
Are McCain and Palin right to fear Democratic control of the House, Senate and presidency?
Day of Reckoning
Has Barack Obama succeeded in his push to win religious voters?
Stop Payment
Why did Congress cut back on its plan to give soldiers additional compensation in recognition of their extended service under stop-loss?
Iraq: The Counterfactual Game
Was the invasion worth it?
Can Obama Win Virginia?
A report from Barack Obama's campaign in Loudoun County.
Bright Light, Dim City
Stockholm’s pretensions toward literary clout would be almost laughable—except that it has the Nobel Prize, the world’s single most powerful literary symbol.
Sarah Palin’s Personal Shopper
Meet the Republican Party's fashion guru.
E-mail From Afghanistan
"It was hard preparing to risk your life for something you don’t believe. It eats away your soul." An ex-Army officer contemplates contemplates the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan, and his recently completed third combat tour.
Oliver Stone's W Falls Short
"The story Stone presents has been told over and over, creating grooves in the brains of Bush-haters."
Powell's Cautionary Tale
Why liberal internationalists shouldn't be thrilled about the Powell endorsement.
North America's Other Election
What Democrats and Republicans can learn from Canada's Stephen Harper.
My Secret Life As A Muslim
"I had to be honest and put myself to the same test as the candidates. Here are the facts..."
This Story Doesn't Cell
Did Verizon give John McCain special treatment?
Asymmetry at Sea
What war with Iran in the Gulf could be like.
The Politics of the Retouched Headshot
"In an image-savvy culture, we’re increasingly forced to consider just what constitutes a valid portrait"
More Racism, Please
Race-baiting and anti-Muslim bigotry on the campaign trail are vile and loathsome. Let's hope they never go away.
Troopergate
Why Sarah Palin should be less than pleased by the results of the report.
Inequality Bites
Why wage stagnation hasn't led to a political revolt—until now.
McCain's Armenia Problem
"In the superheated world of ethnic grievance politics, rarely do presidential elections feature such a clear contrast between two candidates. In California, New Jersey, Michigan and Nevada, that contrast could hurt McCain."
"People, not chess pieces"
The author of a new book about the West Point class of 2002 looks into what kind of support our troops really want from us, and why so many of us have become accustomed to sacrificing so little.
Obama, Ayers, and Guilt By Association
By Sarah Palin's logic, McCain should be held accountable for his association with Watergate burglar G. Gordon Libby.
Back to The Jungle
"The food-tainting scandals, as much as the economic crisis, are the result of predictably unreliable 'voluntary' industry self-regulation that leaves the foxes guarding the henhouse."
What Did Bush Tell Gonzales?
Sources say Alberto Gonzales now claims that President Bush personally directed him to John Ashcroft's hospital room in the infamous wiretap renewal incident.
The Case of the Gonzales Notes
The Justice Department is investigating whether former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales created a set of fictitious notes so that President Bush would have a rationale for reauthorizing his warrantless eavesdropping program.
Why There's No Deal Yet
Henry Paulson’s dropping to one knee to woo Nancy Pelosi suggests, troublingly, that he doesn’t get Congress. The target of seduction should be the leader on the other side of the aisle.
The New Face of Israel?
Israel expert Daniel Levy assesses the odds that Tzipi Livni could become Israel's next prime minister, and considers what it might mean for the Middle East if she does.
Decency, Toughness ... and No Shortcuts
Bing West offers an in-depth consideration of what led to the turnaround in Iraq.
After Kim Jong Il
"We should be thinking less about the transition of North Korean power, and more about the worldview that Kim and his potential successors have in common."
Betting on John McCain
An economist explains why he thinks McCain's economic policies make more sense.
Russia: Back to the Future
Washington should establish a new framework, based partly on an old paradigm, for its relations with Moscow.
A Legal Affair
Convicted murderer Charles Dean Hood has been granted a stay of execution. But the fact—confirmed at last—that the judge and the prosecutor on his case had "an intimate sexual relationship" has not been addressed.
Travesty in Texas
"The case of convicted double murderer Charles Dean Hood raises deeply disturbing questions about the state's administration of justice."
The Next Flashpoint: Ukraine
Facing a resurgent Moscow, Ukraine is clamoring for NATO membership. The alliance should say no.
The Palin Effect
Where grassroots delegates and professional operatives part ways.
Military Resistance at the RNC
Former infantryman Brian Mockenhaupt reports from the Twin Cities where Iraq Veterans Against the War are holding their own convention.
The Mother-In-Law of All Storms
Our correspondent, in exile from his New Orleans home, keeps tabs on Hurricane Gustav with the help of TV and Twitter.
The "Eagleton Scenario"
Could Sarah Palin become the first running mate since Thomas Eagleton in 1972 to be dropped from a major-party ticket? Joshua Green offers a look at how such a scenario would unfold.
What McCain Didn't Know About Sarah Palin
And why he probably would have picked her anyway.
Bill Clinton Is Back
"Given the pettiness of recent intraparty squabbling, in particular Clinton's own behavior in the primaries, his speech was a reminder of his astonishing political skill... his legacy and his future as his party's elder statesman are more than intact."
Hillary Goes Out With a Whimper
"Clinton didn't seem angry or betrayed or entitled or any of the things that critics have attributed to her—she seemed merely unenthused, and so did the audience."
Of Beer, Algae, and Sailing
Our correspondent reports from the Olympic sailing competition in Qingdao.
In Defense of the Beta Blocker
Is this a performance drug that could actually increase the fairness of Olympic contests?
At Putin's Mercy
"The pitiable David-and-Goliath asymmetry of Georgia's dustup with Russia has obscured both the United States' culpability in bringing about the conflict, and the nature of the separatism that caused it in the first place"
All Bets Are Off
A population of gambling enthusiasts plays bemused host to a series of equestrian events unrelated to racing or betting.
An Air-Conditioned Nightmare
In Afghanistan, some soldiers are pampered. Should they be?
Who Says Penn is Finished?
He could be back sooner than you think.
The Joyous Peculiarity of David Carr
Corby Kummer—David Carr's editor at The Atlantic—takes stock of Carr's gritty new memoir, The Night of the Gun.
The Olympics' Second City
Our correspondent attends the first Olympic soccer game at Shanghai stadium and explains why Shanghai is only grudgingly playing co-host for this year's Olympics.
Behind the Indian Embassy Bombing
"You would think that the Bush administration would be coaching the Karzai government not to antagonize Pakistan unnecessarily by cozying up to India."
Not Your Father's Space Program
Who needs NASA when private enterprise is turning the stuff of science fiction into reality?
No Greater Honor
Robert D. Kaplan comments on what it takes to earn the highest award the military can bestow—and why the public fails to appreciate its worth.
The Peril of Obama
The glamour of Obama may be hard to resist, but could it get the country into trouble if he wins the presidency?
McCain's Purple Cow
John McCain's actions on behalf of Vicki Iseman barely differ from the earmarking he has spent a career railing against.
The End of the American Exception
Economically speaking, America could soon be more European than Europe.
"We're On Our Way Home Now, Duckie!"
Sailing, swimming, and sipping nightcaps with William F. Buckley Jr.
A New Era in Pakistan
What the end of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf means for the war on terror.
'Roid Rage
What the professional sports world doesn't get about Washington.
Inside the Clinton Shake-Up
How Hillary's campaign managed itself into a ditch—and how it might get itself out.
Waiting for Gore
Department of Wild Speculation.
What's Next for Wall Street?
The presidential campaign has financial executives more concerned about who wins than they have been in years—or it ought to.
A Report From Iraq
Ambushed in Mosul, Bing West visits the last urban redoubt of al Qaeda in Iraq and sees a calmer battlefield—but political troubles ahead.
Doom, Gloom, Then Ecstasy
A behind-the-scenes report from New Hampshire primary night at the Hillary camp.
Oil Shocks
Clive Crook warns that it may soon be time to panic about the price of oil.
Compass Without Direction
The movie version of Philip Pullman's Golden Compass creates a luminous fantasy world, but loses the book's magnetic force of meaning.
The NIE in Doubt?
Well-placed sources suggest that Iran may have in fact accelerated its weapons program.
It's the Tribes, Stupid!
Quelling anarchy in Iraq, Pakistan, and elsewhere, will require building on tribal loyalties—not imposing democracy from the top down.
The Next Frontier
The creation of AFRICOM, the U.S. military's new Africa Command, offers the hope of steady, low-key progress in the war on terror.
Among the Kurds
Atlantic editor Graeme Wood describes his sojourn with the militant young bookworms of the PKK.
The Navy’s New Flat-Earth Strategy
The U.S. unveils a collaborative plan for policing the seas.
The Colbert Notion
Stephen Colbert plans to run for president in South Carolina. Here's a campaign strategy—and a list of who should worry.
Earth, Fire, Water
Revisiting the Armenian genocide.
Burma’s Next Chapter
Will the collapse of Burma’s oppressive junta bring democracy or ethnic turmoil?
Outsourcing Conflict
For all the notoriety of private military contractors like Blackwater, they represent an important aspect of the future of war. And that future is not all bad.
Military Air
The future of economy class?
Will the Petraeus Strategy Be the Last?
Bing West, a Marine officer in Vietnam and former assistant secretary of defense, offers a view from Iraq's restive Anbar province on Congress's recent Iraq hearings.
Bottom-Up Progress
Robert D. Kaplan gives credence to the testimony of Petraeus and Crocker and warns against a hasty withdrawal from Iraq.
The First Test of the Surge
We are about to find out what happens in Iraq after the U.S. troops leave.
Rereading Vietnam
The Vietnam analogy looms ever larger in the debate over Iraq, but the U.S. military has memories of that conflict that the public doesn't.
Raging Bulls
Atlantic staff editor Timothy Lavin runs with the bulls in Pamplona and lives to tell the tale.
Reviving the Beatles
Beatles fan Mark Bowden chats with Pat Dinizio about his band's new Beatles tribute album, "Meet the Smithereens"
New Jersey Gives Rudy a Boost
A look at how New Jersey's most conservative G.O.P. chairman may have just saved Giuliani's campaign millions.
Foreign Policy: Munich Versus Vietnam
"At the moment, the Vietnam analogy has the upper-hand. But don't count Munich out."
The Perils of Reagan Republicanism
Candidates who invoke the spirit of Reagan may live to regret it.
Karl Rove's Voter Fraud Fetish
The Bush administration cracks down on a phantom menace.
Smoke and Mirrors
What the State Department is not accomplishing in Iraq.
Was the Iraq Study Group Report Really a Flop?
For a document that was supposedly "dead-on-arrival," it's certainly having a strong influence.
That's Character
The dignity of Ford's post-presidency.
My Lunch With Litvinenko
In 2002, Atlantic contributing editor Paul Starobin sat down with Alexander Litvinenko for an interview over lunch. They talked about Litvinenko's defection, his relationship with notorious Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky, and his suspicions about Putin and the FSB. Following Litvinenko's recent poisoning, Starobin dug out his notes.
We Can't Just Withdraw
Iraq may be closer to an explosion of genocide than we know.
