2012: User’s Guide

Last year was not a propitious one for the prediction industry. Against all expectations, dictators across the Arab world succumbed to the power of crowds. No one could have forecast the epic natural disasters in Asia. Few anticipated the expensive unraveling of the euro. And who saw Kim Kardashian’s marital meltdown coming? The new year promises to be just as vexing. Will the tide of protest continue in the Middle East and Russia or die down to an anxious apathy? But there are a few known knowns for 2012, along with the unknown unknowns. Someone will win the Republican nomination–and someone the 200-m freestyle at the Olympics. In our first annual guide to the year ahead, we offer a road map for the next 12 months of news.

POLITICS

The Long Game
A Republican-primary preview.
By Michael Crowley

Middle East Heat
Intelligence analysis for the volatile region

A New North Korea
Strategies for dealing with a new regime.
By Bill Powell

Invisible Army
What’s next in drone warfare.
By Mark Thompson

SCIENCE

Storms Ahead
Will this year’s weather be even worse?
By Jim Cantore

Fear Factor
Cell phones to cancer: a 2012 fear chart.
By Jeff Wise

Born in 2012
What next year’s infants can expect from life

Pressure Cooker
A surgical procedure targets hypertension.
By Dr. Mehmet Oz

Pharmacy Pipeline
New drugs fight breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity.
By Alice Park

BUSINESS

The Next Jet
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner will deliver a comfortable ride.
By Andra Ford

Safety in Stocks
With sovereign debt struggling, why multinationals beat nations.
By Rana Foroohar

China Spending
The country is scooping up land, raw materials and sports stars.
By Austin Ramzy

Woe Is the Euro
If old currencies come back, what will coffee cost?
By Stephen Gandel

Going Cashless
The rise of the mobile wallet.
By Deirdre van Dyk

CULTURE

TV in Your Hand
In 2012, it’s cable against the want-it-now crowd.
By Harry McCracken

The Year in Rivalries
From Olympic duels to witches vs. vampires

Almost Famous
Four groups who’ll make it big.
By Belinda Luscombe

Status Updates
Social media’s advances.
By Lev Grossman and Allie Townsend

Armageddon Party
If the world ends on Dec. 21, 2012, go out in style

Future Perfect
Highly scientific predictions for the year ahead.
By Joel Stein

10 Questions
… for you, in our 2012 news quiz. Good luck