Giving us hope for the future, our heroes have been selected for their talents and problem-solving skills. During the recession everyone’s had to up their game and these people go the extra mile to make the world a better place.

Which countries get their way in the world without having to resort to military might? Who are the soft power leaders who know the value of well-placed aid or a good pop star? Over the following pages we name the top 25 nations in the inaugural Monocle and Institute for Government Soft Power Survey.

As 2011 approaches, storm clouds are gathering across international conflict zones. Monocle identifies the locations where things could kick off.

Ten experts open their almanacs to explore the challenges of 2011 in the worlds of politics, banking, terrorism and defence.

Cairo's new satellite cities, the migration from Mumbai to Bandra, and Asia's frantic competition to build the world's tallest skyscrapers.

Chinese eco-cities, what the Pharoahs can teach us about climate change, and the battle between business and environmentalists over vast oil reserves in Canada.

A look ahead at the year in politics, including the challenges facing Nicholas Sarkozy, some potential new EU members and the run-up to the US election.

Sydney's business district's new waterfront development, why Brazilian biofuels make a good investment, and how sustainable engineering is benefiting Africa.

Here’s a hand with your artistic intake over the coming months, from festivals to film releases.

Revived Le Corbusier pieces from Cassina, Made in Germany: Stowa watches, and a university cafeteria that rewrites the rules.

An eyewear boutique in New York with new and vintage frames, nautical jumpers for women and a new menswear store in Stockholm.

How do you persuade a Somali pirate to release his hostages or rebel kidnappers to let their abductees go? We meet the negotiators out to fix the world in 2011.

As technology becomes more prevalent in the world of espionage, the idea of an undercover agent in a trench coat might seem old-fashioned. But the human touch is still very much in demand.

Chile, the Barents Sea, Haifa, a soon-to-be gentrified Berlin neighbourhood and a happening street in Istanbul. Monocle explains why these are the places to watch for business opportunities in 2011. Plus, what’s in store for Baghdad and the countries rising up the GDP scale.

In the past three years, Swedish language-teaching company EF has tripled in size and has left its competitors speechless. We profile the family firm that is transforming the industry.

Asia remains thirsty for western wines and in California there’s an unlikely vineyard owner making the most of the boom: computer game mogul Kenzo Tsujimoto. Overleaf we look at more food and drink trends for 2011 and beyond.

Hollywood and the rest of the world are paying close attention to the films coming out of Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Even Vietnam is getting in on the act. Monocle takes a seat at Korea’s Pusan International Film Festival.

As the pace of technology speeds on full-throttle, four media visionaries describe how new developments will influence how we produce and consume news in 2011. And while they may have different views, one thing’s agreed: quality journalism remains paramount.

With design playing a more integrated role in government and business strategy around the world, Monocle hunts down the establishments spear-heading new movements and others that are keeping traditional ones alive.

Pottery, paper, furniture maker: it’s a varied mix at the For Stockists design show – which has gained a reputation as the place to spot Japan’s rising design talent.

In an attempt to attract foreign investment and ditch its Soviet-era image, the Georgian president has enlisted Michele De Lucchi to fill the capital’s skies with ambitious architecture. The Italian is clearly succeeding: last year he was even awarded a Georgian passport. We meet him in his Italian HQ.

Following a successful rescue reinvention by entrepreneur Ramdane Touhami, historic candle maker Cire Trudon has kept its flame alive and grown to become an industry leader.

From the restaurant scene to what we’re pouring ourselves for breakfast and cooking up in our kitchens, we bring you four trends that are changing the business of what we eat and drink.

At this beach house holiday rental outside Sydney, all the furniture and equipment is for sale at the owners’ interior design company and they haven’t been afraid to leave a few rough edges. It’s a small house and a small business.

We bring you warm tidings – and equally warm clothes – to spend time at home with the family for a cosy Korean Christmas.

From chocolates to wooden toys, cameras to candleholders, we’ve scoured the globe for things we’d like to find in the Monocle Christmas stocking.

‘Der Spiegel’ stands for everything that Monocle also holds dear: high-quality journalism, solid facts, covers that sell and a respect for the intelligence of its readers. So we thought it was time we paid a visit to the HQ to meet the editors in chief and glean some company secrets.

Not only are you reading Monocle’s thickest issue ever, but there is more big news on the way. We are launching our first Monocle television series with Bloomberg, there’s a new newspaper venture and we have almost secured the keys to our new HQ, says Tyler Brûlé.