Vol. 172 No. 8
COVER
The West has to show Moscow that it won't tolerate any attempt to reassert control over Georgia or the rest of the former Soviet Union
The Bear Is Back on The Prowl (The Well / World)
The U.S. warned its ally not to be drawn into a Russian trap. When the fighting started, Georgia didn't stand a chance
NATION
Miami's three congressional seats have been Republican strongholds. But in a tough year for the GOP, Little Havana can no longer be taken for granted
Why Al Franken Isn't Winning (The Well / Campaign '08)
Do all those old jokes work against Al Franken in his race for a Senate seat in Minnesota? You betcha
Four-Day School Weeks (Life / Education)
As gas prices go up and bus service eats into school budgets, more districts are starting to cut class
Who Can You Sue? Click Here (Life / Litigation Nation)
For answers, see WhoCanISue.com
ESSAY
Russia's assault on Georgia was wrong--but predictable. How humiliation can shape national interest
What's Wrong with Celebrity? (Tuned In)
The term is being used as an insult. But there are worse things for a leader to be
Say No to Class War
There's a new push for affirmative action by social class. As Mao's China showed, it's a terrible idea
NOTEBOOK
Milestones
Bernie Mac (Briefing)
Pop Chart
The Moment (Briefing)
8|11|08: Washington
The Page (Briefing)
Verbatim
The World (Briefing)
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
A Brief History Of: Tabloids!! (Briefing)
The Skimmer (Briefing)
WORLD
Mexico's Cocaine Capital (The Well / World)
In Culiacán, the heart of Mexico's drug country, narco gangs massacre cops and one another — and are celebrated in song
Big Splash! (The Well / Sport)
Beijing Pollution's Effect? It's Unclear (The Well / Sport)
The Medal Machine Is Cranking (The Well / Sport)
India's New Medal Record: 1 (The Well / Sport)
Postcard: Beijing
While China's Old Guard celebrates the Olympics as a sign of how far the country has come, its young élite looks to the future. Dinners and revolutions in China's capital
SOCIETY
With the help of a top chef, learning how to grill (and kill) a rising star among American meats
TECHNOLOGY
McCain admits he's a Net newbie. But does that affect whether he should be President?
Point-and-Shoot Shopping (Life / Fashion)
Popular in Japan, camera-phone-based technology could turn U.S. handsets into storefronts
BUSINESS
Beer to buildings, airports to biotech: foreigners are buying U.S. assets on the cheap. It matters more than you think
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The retro format has been reborn for the digital age. You still need the glasses, but it's a whole new experience
Latin Lovers (Movies)
A fine Spanish romance from a man who sees passion as comedy
Home Thoughts (Architecture)
The past and future of prefab housing
Divided Souls (Books)
Dispatches from the dark side of childhood
5 Things You Should Know About (Downtime)
Clone wars, vintage Broderick and the Belle of Amherst
PEOPLE
SPECIAL SECTION
How L'Avion, the lone business-class airline start-up to survive, got the critical choices right
Sashimi on Demand? (Global Business / Environment)
As bluefin-tuna numbers plummet, an Australian says he's found a way to farm the migratory fish