September 9, 2013 | Vol. 182, No. 11

COVER
Across the Red Line (United States / Obama’s Foreign Policy)
Evidence of a brutal chemical attack in Syria poses a defining test to the U.S.’s reputation and to Barack Obama’s foreign policy vision

COMMENTARY
The Alchemists of Wall Street (The Curious Capitalist)
Clever financing may reward shareholders, but it does nothing to help the economy
Pop’s Drop: From Madonna to Miley
Cyrus’ derivative stunt reveals an artistically bankrupt music culture

VIEWPOINT
Theater of the Absurd
China’s Bo Xilai show trial is not so much about corruption as it is about settling political scores

WORLD
Egypt No Longer Matters (Viewpoint)
Egypt Has Never Been More Important (Viewpoint)
Treasure Land
Afghanistan’s mountains are rich in untapped minerals that could prove to be a blessing ― and a curse
The Curator’s Conundrum (Photography)
The world’s top photojournalism festival is 25. can the profession it celebrates survive?

THE CULTURE
I Have Sung the Future (Profile)
Janelle Monáe broke out as an R&B innovator. Now she’s going full eclectic

LETTERS
Germany and the Euro (Conversation)