* Round-up of Michele Bachmann's foreign-policy greatest hits. * Trillin has Romney introducing himself to foreign leaders. * Tiny explanations of politics to watch in Zimbabwe, Angola, Madagascar, South Africa. * Haitians struggle to reach Brazil; Brazil struggles to accomodate Haitians. * Italy's high-end accordion industry thrives despite
* A haunting account of one man's seven-year Gitmo imprisonment. * For those waiting anxiously for immigration reform—with no resolution in sight—Obama's proposal offers new hope. * Given months to live in 1963, Stephen Hawking has continued to survive against all medical odds. * Psychologists can'
* Iranian fisherman held hostage and asked by Somalians to go pirate, saved by U.S. Navy. * Iran responds twice: It's a humanitarian gesture, then a Hollywood dramatization. * U.S. military cuts could harm invention, innovation, and long-term economic growth. * Teen killed by drone may not have been
* Britain bashes London's financial might and excess; financiers would prefer an attitude like California's toward Silicon Valley. * Poster: Visual history of financial crises. * January is a bad month for fast-food restaurants, so deals abound, including KFC's new $11 "Weekend Bucket," with
Every Friday we take a look back at the week’s headlines, centering on a theme we’ve singled out as particularly important. 2012 is commencing with the reminder that no matter what goes down this year, hope can be strongest in dark places. Jupiter’s heart is dissolving: Does
* The Supreme Court should defend the fundamental right of Americans to have a democracy that is for, of, and by them—not foreigners. * Rick Santorum says the West Bank belongs to Israel, which not even Israel itself would claim. * Santorum embodies how politicians become wealthy out of office—getting cash
* British Heart Foundation teaches CPR to the masses by encouraging disco-beat chest compressions. * In Israel, anyone who registers as an organ donor is eligible immediately for high priority to obtain an organ. * Chart: Libya's economy will be the fastest-growing in 2012, Sudan's the fastest-
* White House to reduce the Army and Marine Corps by 10-15% over 10 years; future focus to be on Asia-Pacific. * Illiterate voters make elections difficult in Egypt, but the military's power is a much bigger hurdle, say analysts. * To save the Republican party, the GOP'
* Musician Youssou N'Dour announces Senegal presidential bid. * According to Reuters, Syria has killed 132 people since the Arab League's monitors arrived last week. * Investment banks are run by psychopaths who single-mindedly pursue self-enrichment. * Top economists of 2011 ranked by Google search interest—Krugman, Singh,
* After slim win in Iowa, Romney looks ahead to New Hampshire with great expectations. * Analysis of Putinism—Putin has "neither the capacity nor the ambition to rebuild a Soviet-style hierarchy." * Flashpoints for 2012, and why certain regions can expect conflict. * Guidelines for would-be dictators. * Fencer, fight
