From Foreign Affairs, a review essay on how to succeed in Afghanistan; and which way is history marching? A review of The Legacy of George W. Bush's Foreign Policy: Moving beyond Neoconservatism by Ilan Peleg. How George Bush viewed the world — as witnessed by Timothy Garton Ash (and more). With the Iranian election, we've seen a privately owned technology becoming a vital part of the infrastructure supporting political activity — that's a problem. If the Iranian regime didn't fear women, it wouldn't bother to repress them. Will the cat above the precipice fall down?: Slavok Zizek on Iran. From Cardus, an article on religion and democracy: Habermas vs. Flores d'Arcais. Sweetness and Spite: RJ Stove on the forgotten pleasures of light verse. From Vanity Fair, an interview with Nancy Reagan. Despite its drawbacks, democracy is the right system for running a country — it just doesn't stack up as the best way of choosing a poetry professor. Letting Ordinary Joe loose on the nation: Radio producers think phone-in shows are democratic — in truth they’re stuffed with whiny, cliched invective. Dan Ariely on how we’re swayed by confidence more than expertise. From Sirens, herea are 5 reasons we still need feminism. The Susan Boyle Experience: What the wildly popular video clip was all about.

From NYRB, Michael Chabon on Manhood for Amateurs: The Wilderness of Childhood (and from Bookforum, a review of Chabon’s The Yiddish Policemen's Union). From Prospect, American authors enjoy the world’s best supported literary culture, but the latest generation seems hobbled by ease and self-congratulation. Real life isn't a gossip blog: Perez Hilton brings his Internet persona out on the town and gets clocked accordingly. A look at how celebrities stay famous regardless of talent. It Came from Wasilla: Todd Purdum on Sarah Palin. Forget the broader implications for the GOP — Mark Sanford's public breakdown was a human drama all its own (and more). The definitive guide to randy Republicans: Rating the greatest GOP sex scandals of the past 20 years. From The New York Times Magazine, a cover story on G.M., Detroit and the fall of the black middle class. A very intellectual bust up: Malcolm Gladwell vs Chris Anderson. Philip Ball debates science and religion with Sam Harris (and more). A review of Frames of War: When Is Life Grievable? by Judith Butler. A review of Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich. The first chapter from Inventing Equal Opportunity by Frank Dobbin. Here's an appreciation of "Conan the Barbarian" — seriously.