The World Next Week, December 4th 2008. Joint Indian-Chinese military exercises, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 60, Baghdad's Energy Expo and the Hajj By The Economist.

From the paper 13 December 2008. Vulnerability in China and India; getting rid of Robert Mugabe; climate change; and minimum fees for credit cards By The Economist.

The World Next Week, 12 December 2008. Obama's challenges, elections across the globe, foreign policy hotspots and the long shots of 2009 By The Economist.

Zbigniew Brzezinski. If the national security adviser outsources authority to the secretaries of state and of defence, the system will not work By The Economist.

Gilbert Kaplan on Mahler. The maestro on the original score for Mahler's 2nd, using an offstage brass band and finding the perfect mezzo soprano By The Economist.

Brazil's economy. Nelson Barbosa of the Brazilian finance ministry explains how Brazil plans to avoid a recession By The Economist.

Books of the year. The Economist's books editor on chagrin, the risks of commissioning books on Lehman Brothers and how fiction works By The Economist.

Barbie at 50. Carol Ockman, art professor at Williams College, analyses the enduring appeal of Barbie in the run-up to the doll's 50th birthday By The Economist.

India. Trade and economy will be India's priorities as it grapples with the global downturn, says James Astill, The Economist's South Asia correspondent By The Economist.

Onward, to Copenhagen. Emma Duncan, The Economist's deputy editor, on climate-change challenges in 2009 By The Economist.

The world next week, 19 December 2008. In 2009: the recession's winners, the rich world turns 40, privacy on the internet and our favourite birthdays By The Economist.

Arsalan Iftikhar on Islamophobia. The editor and lawyer on the institutionalisation of anti-Muslim sentiment and the difference between European and American Muslims By The Economist.

Robbert Baruch on integrating Islam. The Labour Party politician on Muslim integration in a poor district of Rotterdam and why mosques are good for the community By The Economist.

Craig Venter on creating life. The biologist on how synthetic organisms could be used to generate fuel, improve health and launch a new industrial revolution By The Economist.

John Hutton on British defence. Terrorism is the biggest threat to world peace since the cold war, says Britain's defence secretary By The Economist.

Special report. Urgent action is needed to protect our seas and oceans, says John Grimond, The Economist's writer at large By The Economist.

Matthew Bishop on philanthropy. Some billionaires are getting smart about charity, others should follow suit By The Economist.

Orville Schell on reform in China. The China expert on the days when the the streets were empty and advertisements were banned, and how Deng learned you can't eat politics By The Economist.