Special Report

In "The Dark Side of China's Rise" (March/April 2006), Minxin Pei described a country fraught with corruption, riddled with waste, and crippled by leaders who care more about riches than reform. That portrayal ruffled the feathers of those who believe China is the world's next superpower. Which is it? In this FP Roundtable, a handful of prominent scholars scrutinize whether China is rising or falling.

Poverty is blamed for everything from terrorism to bird flu. Rich nations have never sounded more committed to stamping it out. Is it all just hot air? The fourth annual CGD/FP Commitment to Development Index ranks 21 rich nations on whether they’re working to end global poverty -- or just making it worse.

Just what does it mean to be a leading intellectual? One of our honorees weighs in on the burdens and pleasures of making a living by ideas.

On August 20th, Afghans vote in the first presidential election monitored and administered by the country itself in more than 30 years. Who is likely to win? And What is at stake?

Only one will win -- but all five look certain to figure on the Afghan political scene for years to come.