A S I A
INDONESIA: New-Found Power
Still skittish after last year's brutal assaults, Indonesia's ethnic Chinese community will be a significant factor in next month's election

MALAYSIA: Our Region, Ourselves
In an excerpt from his new book, Mahathir Mohamad reflects on Malaysia's fight for independence and rails against those who 'blindly worship' the free market

HONG KONG: So Much For Autonomy
Facing a thorny immigration problem, Hong Kong's leaders cede ultimate legal authority to China

LINE OF FIRE: It's True. Asians Can't Think
Until it abandons its twisted Confucianism, the region will trail the West

T H E   A R T S
BOOKS: Unraveling the Enigma
A pair of Japan watchers try to identify the country's essence in the midst of rapid change

E N D   P A G E S
SPOTLIGHT

MILESTONES

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

PLANET WATCH:
Save the ... Vultures?

TRAVEL WATCH:
Getting Your Kicks, Without Kidding Around