February 20, 2012 | Vol. 179, No. 7

COVER
The Most Important Man in Europe (World)
Mario Monti is trying to pull Italy and its neighbors back from the economic brink

WORLD
Syria's Clashing Armies
Defecting soldiers have formed a loose alliance of militias to defend their homes
and families, but the regime of Bashar Assad is out to crush them without mercy

Friendly Rivals
China's next leader makes a U.S. visit. A look at the issues that will determine
its success

BUSINESS
Microlending Thinks Bigger (Finance)
This $100 billion industry developed critical flaws. But new approaches are
recasting its business model

PROFILE
Challenging Hugo Chﾃ｡vez
Can an old foe of Venezuela's populist President unseat him by stealing his mantle
as champion of the poor?

THE CULTURE
Great Performances
Trophies, scrolls, statuettes 窶� this time of year, actors get 'em by the zillions,
like valet-parking stubs

LETTERS
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