Challenges of the next decade

by Marvin Olasky

Cover Story | If the past is a guide, then in the years ahead, Americans will once again look beyond both government and business to build their communities

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/challenges_of_the_next_decade]

In this issue: "Realities: 2011-2020," Jan. 15, 2011

The mule and the lamb

by Marvin Olasky

Next decade challenge | George Friedman offers a compelling analysis of the next decade internationally, but he doesn't take into account the most powerful force of all

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/the_mule_and_the_lamb]

Not getting any younger

by Timothy Lamer

Next decade challenge | Low fertility rates leave Western nations with little choice but to raise retirement ages. But making that choice won't be politically easy

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/not_getting_any_younger]

Haves and have-nots

by Mindy Belz

Next decade challenge | Our definition of who fits what category will change in the next decade

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/haves_and_have_nots]

Red tide rising

by Dan Reed

Next decade challenge | Massive pension obligations to public employees are leading to predictions of bankruptcy for states and cities

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/red_tide_rising]

Mass exodus

by Alisa Harris

Next decade challenge | The Roman Catholic Church in the United States has been losing members rapidly, a trend that may lead to big changes in American religion in coming years

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/mass_exodus]

Separation anxieties

by Jamie Dean

Sudan | As South Sudan prepares for a January vote on independence from Khartoum, concerns over region-wide violence grow

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/separation_anxieties]

Swearing off pork

by Emily Belz, Edward Lee Pitts

Politics | Republican lawmakers are vowing to end earmarks, but loopholes are creeping up and old habits die hard

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/swearing_off_pork]

How low can they go?

by Marvin Olasky

Media | Call the chiropractors: It's journalistic limbo time again

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/how_low_can_they_go]

Leaving Latin America

by Mariana Cristancho-Ahn

Media | Major U.S. newspapers are closing their South and Central American bureaus in droves

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/leaving_latin_america]

Seoul searching

by Jamie Dean

A nuclear North Korea would be a nightmare, but the regime's huge conventional force could wreak havoc on the South

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/seoul_searching]

Looking Ahead

by The Editors

NASA towers to fall NASA hopes to begin destroying two iconic servicing towers of launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral on Jan. 13.

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/looking_ahead_1]

A stable Iraq?

by The Editors

And other news briefs

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/a_stable_iraq]

Asking for trouble

by Edward Lee Pitts

The repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' brings big challenges for the military and its chaplains

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/asking_for_trouble]

Human Race

by The Editors

Returning Pastor and theologian John Piper is set to return Jan. 8-9 to the pulpit of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis after taking an eight-month…

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/human_race_1]

Quotables

by The Editors

"Today is a very sad day." U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which will allow homosexuals to…

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/quotables_0]

Quick Takes

by The Editors

Tech rescue Fed up with having to replace characters in their nativity scenes year after year, some churches with outdoor displays have opted to use…

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/quick_takes_0]

Worthy Western

by Megan Basham

Movies | The Coen brothers and their cast of actors make a masterful True Grit

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/worthy_western]

Tron: Legacy

by Rebecca Cusey

Movies | The reason to see Tron: Legacy is for the experience

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/tron_legacy]

The Fighter

by Michael Leaser

Movies | The Fighter successfully captures one of the frustrating tensions many people experience with family

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/the_fighter]

Box Office Top 10

by The Editors

Movies | For the weekend of Dec. 17-19, according to Box Office Mojo

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/box_office_top_10]

Worthy challenge

by Marvin Olasky

Books | With Radical-in-Chief , Stanley Kurtz shows the right way to criticize President Obama

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/worthy_challenge]

Notable books

Notable Books | Four new nonfiction books reviewed by Susan Olasky

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/notable_books_0]

Remaking a religion

by Marvin Olasky

Q&A | Scholar Daniel Pipes says Americans must stand up to Islamists and encourage a 'moderate, neighborly' Islam

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/remaking_a_religion]

Piano pounders

by Arsenio Orteza

Music | Elton John's The Union may not be a dud, but it's not as special as the latest effort from Jerry Lee Lewis

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/piano_pounders]

Notable CDs

Notable CDs | Five news-making releases of 2010 reviewed by Arsenio Orteza

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/notable_cds_0]

Loosening knot

by Susan Olasky

Lifestyle | Outside the ranks of the highly educated, the institution of marriage is weakening

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/loosening_knot]

Study by network

by Alissa Wilkinson

Technology | Web developers hope Facebook sharing will extend to class notes

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/study_by_network]

Frozen fire

by Daniel James Devine

Science | New efforts to mine gas hydrates could revolutionize energy production

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/frozen_fire]

Turaida Church

by The Editors

Houses of God | Sigulda, Latvia

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/turaida_church]

Rising stars

by Mark Bergin

Sports | While high-profile athletes struggled in 2010, others are poised to make their marks in 2011

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/rising_stars]

Unseasonable spike

by Joseph Slife

Money | Asian demand is keeping gasoline prices unusually high this winter

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/unseasonable_spike]

Choice denied

by Lauren Sneed

Law | Appeals court rejects lawsuit from a pro-life nurse forced to assist an abortion

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/choice_denied]

Mailbag

by The Editors

Letters from our readers

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/mailbag_0]

The pilgrim's progress

by Andrée Seu

Three wishes and ways for moving forward in the new year

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/the_pilgrim_s_progress]

A bold venture

by Marvin Olasky

Crafting an individual mission statement that shows arc and ark

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/a_bold_venture]

Uncertain season

by Mindy Belz

Iowa this winter is (maybe) gearing up for 2012

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/uncertain_season]

A vanishing breed

by Janie B. Cheaney

What will happen to society if dismal marriage trends continue?

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/a_vanishing_breed]

Ending the fibbing

by Joel Belz

The repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' may be the least of our problems

[http://www.worldmag.com/2010/12/ending_the_fibbing]

Table of Contents

In this issue: "Realities: 2011-2020," Jan. 15, 2011

Features

Dispatches

Reviews

Notebook

Voices