This is Columbia Journalism Review’s annual Excellence Issue, and thus includes lists of prizewinners. But we see the issue as a salute to all journalists striving for excellence, prize or no prize. One of them is John Laurence, who spent a year with the 101st Airborne in Iraq, and wrote our cover piece, “Rules of Engagement,” about the clash of cultures between soldiers and reporters. And while we’re saluting, a nod to U.S. Representative Mike Pence, the Indiana Republican who is championing a federal shield law for journalists.  Bree Nordenson profiles him in “The Shield Bearer.”

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Alia Malek charts the mission at Military Times
Christopher Shea digests the new ethics of food writing
Jennifer Hughes has second thoughts about athletes and drugs
Judith Matloff unveils sexual assaults against correspondents
John Dinges illuminates a newspaper battle in Chile
Susan Hansen analyzes the British superiority complex
Douglas McCollam revisits John McPhee’s ancient earth
Rick Perlstein disects an intellectual history of polling
Gloria Cooper slings Darts & Laurels
And more!