New Year's Day Reading - Selections from The Economist

I read The Economist from cover-to-cover, so you don't have to. Here are my recommendations from the past two issues (chosen based on my own personal interests, of course):

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International man of mystery - Flying anything to anybody
Dec 18th 2008, From The Economist print edition

The rise and fall of Viktor Bout, arms-dealer extraordinaire, shows a darker side of globalisation. Article.

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Venezuela - Socialism with cheap oil
Dec 30th 2008 | CARACAS, From The Economist print edition

Hugo Chávez embarks on a race against the impending impact of world recession. Article.

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The Cuban revolution at 50 - Heroic myth and prosaic failure
Dec 30th 2008, From The Economist print edition

All the Castro brothers have to celebrate this week is survival. But that in itself is a remarkable achievement. Article.

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Cuba's economy - Ill winds
Dec 30th 2008 | HAVANA, From The Economist print edition

Hurricanes have added to the woes of the downturn. Article.