From the Journal for Cultural and Religious Theory, a roundtable on globalization, with Gianni Vattimo, Charles Taylor, and Richard Rorty; and a conversation with Michael Hardt; who's afraid of atomic bombs? A review of Glimmer of a New Leviathan: Total War in the Realism of Niebuhr, Morgenthau, and Waltz by Campbell Craig; a review of Globalization and Its Enemies by Daniel Cohen; a review of September 11: Religious Perspectives on the Causes and Consequences; and a review of Religion, Politics, and the Christian Right: Post-9/11 Powers and American Empire.

From CT, a review of Imperial Nature, The World Bank and Struggles for Social Justice in the Age of Globalization by Michael Goldman and The World's Banker, A Story of Failed States, Financial Crises, and the Wealth and Poverty of Nations. Poverty Reconsidered: Most everyone has a theory about why the poor stay poor. Most everyone is wrong. A review of Connected: 24 Hours In The Global Economy by Daniel Altman. 

Form Dissent, an essay on the Russian conundrum: Growing economy, failing society. Wait till the Kremlin starts buying our stocks: Sebastian Mallaby on the next globalization backlash. For Christa Wolf, the socialist dream still flickers: A review of One Day a Year: 1960–2000. Oliver Kamm on how Gordon Brown will change Britain's foreign policy. Fantasy Island by Larry Elliott and Dan Atkinson takes a broadside shot at the economics of New Labour.

Form Asia Times, how to project soft power: A review of The First Resort of Kings: American Cultural Diplomacy in the Twentieth Century by Richard T. Arndt. Hard Realities of Soft Power: The United States has dedicated tens of millions of dollars to promoting democracy in Iran. But for Iranian democrats and America alike, the effort may be more trouble than it’s worth. Piece Process: Our mission in the Middle East is not to make things better; it’s to keep them from getting worse. When Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroft all start saying the same thing, it's time to pay attention.

A review of The Good Fight by Peter Beinart. Fleeing our responsibility: An article on why the United States owes succor to Iraqi refugees. An interview with Ted Galen Carpenter of the Cato Institute on engaging Iran.  An interview with Hamas co-founder Mahmoud Zahar: "We will try to form an Islamic society", and an article on how to deal with Hamas. Arcadi Gaydamak — billionaire, philanthropist, arms dealer — may be the most popular man in Israel. And the most troubling.