The middle kingdom is rewriting the rules on trade, technology, currency, climate—you name it.

The middle kingdom is rewriting the rules on trade, technology, currency, climate—you name it.

On March 18, 1990, two thieves stole $500 million in art from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum—including works by Degas, Manet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. None have been seen since (their frames hang empty). Art theft may sound glamorous, but such high-class crimes rarely pay.

On March 18, 1990, two thieves stole $500 million in art from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum—including works by Degas, Manet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. None have been seen since (their frames hang empty). Art theft may sound glamorous, but such high-class crimes rarely pay.

From an unlikely quarter—Pakistan.

From an unlikely quarter—Pakistan.

A global decline in political freedom is partly the fault of the middle class.

A global decline in political freedom is partly the fault of the middle class.

Back in his boyhood home of Indonesia, Obama will find a conservative state that has fought off radical Islam.

Back in his boyhood home of Indonesia, Obama will find a conservative state that has fought off radical Islam.

In death as in life, Westerners overestimate the influence and importance of Egyptian cleric Mohammad Sayyid Tantawi.

In death as in life, Westerners overestimate the influence and importance of Egyptian cleric Mohammad Sayyid Tantawi.

As Iraqis went to the polls last week, there was one noticeable absence on the streets: U.S. troops. For the first time since 2003, Iraqi forces handled security for all voting sites—an important step in a process that, if it goes as planned, will reduce the number of American soldiers in the country to 50,000 by August. The man overseeing the drawdown is Gen. Ray Odierno, the longest-serving U.S. military commander in Iraq. He spoke last week with NEWSWEEK's Babak Dehghanpisheh. Excerpts:

As Iraqis went to the polls last week, there was one noticeable absence on the streets: U.S. troops. For the first time since 2003, Iraqi forces handled security for all voting sites—an important step in a process that, if it goes as planned, will reduce the number of American soldiers in the country to 50,000 by August. The man overseeing the drawdown is Gen. Ray Odierno, the longest-serving U.S. military commander in Iraq. He spoke last week with NEWSWEEK's Babak Dehghanpisheh. Excerpts:

Turkey finally outgrows Atatürk.

Turkey finally outgrows Atatürk.

Russia's new diplomatic strategy is cheap and counterproductive. But playing the pest is the only way for Moscow to claim relevance.

Russia's new diplomatic strategy is cheap and counterproductive. But playing the pest is the only way for Moscow to claim relevance.

When I was growing up, I was on a first-name basis with Polo, Ralph Lauren's line of preppy staples. But I've come to understand that the little mallet-wielding man on a horse embroidered on my shirts is more than just a logo; it's a symbol of one of the world's most storied sports. And polo is becoming an increasingly popular leisure pursuit, thanks in large part to canny marketing and the crossover appeal and tireless efforts of star players like Nacho Figueras, himself a Ralph Lauren–brand ambassador and model. As captain of the Lauren-sponsored Black Watch team, Figueras has propelled himself into the nexus of New York's social and fashion scenes. His celebrity exploits—he's a frequent guest on the Manhattan-Hamptons party circuit—are tirelessly chronicled in gossip columns and glossy magazines. The sport's self-styled spokesperson, Figueras sees his widespread visibility as part of a larger effort to rebrand polo as the sport of choice not just for the privileged set, but for a more mainstream audience as well.

When I was growing up, I was on a first-name basis with Polo, Ralph Lauren's line of preppy staples. But I've come to understand that the little mallet-wielding man on a horse embroidered on my shirts is more than just a logo; it's a symbol of one of the world's most storied sports. And polo is becoming an increasingly popular leisure pursuit, thanks in large part to canny marketing and the crossover appeal and tireless efforts of star players like Nacho Figueras, himself a Ralph Lauren–brand ambassador and model. As captain of the Lauren-sponsored Black Watch team, Figueras has propelled himself into the nexus of New York's social and fashion scenes. His celebrity exploits—he's a frequent guest on the Manhattan-Hamptons party circuit—are tirelessly chronicled in gossip columns and glossy magazines. The sport's self-styled spokesperson, Figueras sees his widespread visibility as part of a larger effort to rebrand polo as the sport of choice not just for the privileged set, but for a more mainstream audience as well.