March 4, 2013

This issue explored America's complex relationship with firearms through Geoffrey Norman's cover feature, "The Guns That Made America Great," tracing the historical role of guns in American culture and identity. The issue also covered political strategy with Jay Cost's analysis of GOP prospects for 2014, Dan Senor's examination of the Defense Secretary's policy-making role in the context of Chuck Hagel's confirmation, and Joseph Bottum's coverage of the papal conclave following Benedict XVI's resignation. Additional pieces examined labor unions' relationship with the Obama administration, gun violence in Chicago, and Kurdistan's growing autonomy from Baghdad.