Kim's Great Game (Cover story)
North Korea's Kim Jong Il is no longer the pariah of a region that once shunned him

Shuttle Diplomacy (Cover story)
Seizing the Middle Ground

The Dangers of Self-Delusion (Viewpoint)
Appeasement failed with Hitler, and it won't work with Kim Jong Il


A Losing battle
Jakarta has lifted martial law in Aceh, but the rebels remain undefeated and the killing continues on both sides


To the Drawing Board
A company that once manufactured Christmas trees is now animating Siegfried & Roy's cats


Princess Diaries
An outburst—and retraction—by Japan's crown prince highlights the lonely life of its princess

Howard's Bad Spin
The Australian PM's comments on one of the world's best bowlers spark an outry in cricket-mad Sri Lanka

Panda Reprieve
New research shows China's giant panda population may be seeing a resurgence

Paradise Regained?
The Maldives' president offers unprecedented reforms; is it more talk or a real change?

Milestones

Verbatim
Quotes of the Week

Letters
Iraq: Moment of Truth

Revisiting the Silk Road (Art)
A new exhibit shows that the greatest treasures of the legendary trade route were not just silk and spices


To the Hammer Born (The Road to Athens)
In Koji Murofushi's family, becoming a world-class athlete is just the standard career path


Everyone's an expert (TIME Global Adviser)
Bored with the usual encyclopedias? Then start writing your own

Parental Guidance Recommended (TIME Global Adviser)
Mom and dad are coming to visit. Here's how to ensure that it's (fairly) stress-free

In A Pickle (TIME Global Adviser)
London's newest tower is winning praise and residents' hearts

Amuse Bouche (TIME Global Adviser)
Grab some Seoul food in Korea

Check In (TIME Global Adviser)
Immaculate Conceptions