COVER
Can Iraq Rule Itself?
Amid continuing violence, Iraqis prepare for a crucial election. Here's what it will take for the next government to gain legitimacy--and why the new leaders may demand that the U.S. withdraw
Iraq's New Cops, Under Fire
If the U.S. hopes to withdraw from Iraq, it needs to succeed in training a police force
The Way Out
The Pentagon has a new plan for training Iraqis. Will it work?
NATION
Rebel in the Ranks
Why is a key Bush ally attacking his Social Security plan, and what does it mean for the rest of the G.O.P.?
Celebration and Dissent
The Inauguration is as close as America comes to a coronation
Book Excerpt: Losing the Green Light (Book Excerpt)
Former EPA chief Christine Todd Whitman on how a Bush Campaign promise was dumped
SCIENCE
Postcards From Titan (Space)
A brief visit by a remarkable probe reveals a Saturnian moon that looks eerily like a place we know well: Earth
SOCIETY
Harvard's Crimson Face
The university's blunt president sparks a furor about women. Is he hurting the Ivy's brand?
Stealth Attack On Evolution
Who is behind the movement to give equal time to Darwin's critics, and what do they really want?
SPORT
King James
Lebron James is the latest phenom with the "next Michael" label — and the first who seems likely to earn it
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
The New Idea Labs (The New Economy / The New Economy)
As more firms send research to India and China, could the U.S. fall behind?
China's Cat-and-Mouse Game (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)
Furniture for Everyone (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)
Etiquette Lessons (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)
The Slide Shuffler (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)
Executive Summary: Rank Rules! (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)
The Davos Man (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / The New Economy)
Does globalization make the world richer or poorer?
Innovation: Tech Pioneers (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / Innovation)
Sometimes you have to quit what you're doing to pursue your ideas. These scientists took the risk--and it paid off
People to Watch in International Business (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Beaters)
People to Watch in International Business
The Global Life: Unexpected Encounters (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / The Global Life)
In Johannesburg and Cape Town, you can see all sides of the new South Africa
The Candidate (Cover)
Iyad Allawi says he's the tough leader Iraq needs. Do voters believe him?
BUSINESS
The Commission Squeeze
The Internet can make it cheaper to buy a house, but not everyone is putting out the welcome mat
Scambuster Inc.
Barry Minkow, felon, is helping the feds uncover fraudulent financial schemes
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Green Party (Music)
How punk popsters Green Day had a midlife crisis and came up with a personal, political, Grammy-nominated rock opera
Books: Moving Beyond Words (Books)
In a very fine debut novel, a man who cannot speak intelligibly tries to connect to a boy in distress
Music: Indie Rock's Dark Prince (Music)
On a pair of CDs, minstrel of misery Conor Oberst (a.k.a. Bright Eyes) proves great--one out of two tries
Movies: Tough Kids (Movies)
They bond to survive in the deft Nobody Knows
YOUR TIME
Style: Yoga's Growing Reach (Style)
A trove of new gear embraces the yoga mystique
Sipping Sideways (Living / Living)
A film character's passion for wine has viewers seeking out the best Pinot Noir
Folate for Everybody? (Your Health)
Megadoses of the vitamin lower blood pressure in women--and maybe in men
Health: Fit To Be A Mom? (Health)
The Next Step In The Science Of Skin Care (Style / Style)
Ouch! That's Gotta Hurt! (Health / Health)
Style: Seamless Style (Style)
BRIEFING
At Gitmo, the Wait Goes On (Notebook)
Detainees in limbo
Justice Scalia: The Charm Offensive (Notebook)
The Supreme Court's controversial member jockeys for Chief Justice
A New Osama Push (Notebook)
A bigger bin Laden reward
77 Years Ago In Time (Milestones / Milestones)
Verbatim: Jan. 31, 2005 (Notebook)
Don't Ask, Don't Tell (Notebook)
Spongebob isn't the first cartoon character to cause a stir over homosexuality
No ... Teenager Left Behind? (Notebook)
An expansion of education legislation is sparking opposition from both sides
How to Survive an Avalanche (Notebook)
With more people in avalanche-heavy areas, attention is shifting to self-rescue
Numbers: Jan. 31, 2005 (Numbers)
Playing with Fire (Notebook / In The Arena)
Will President Bush's attempt to confront tyranny with utopian bellicosity be the end of the conservative pendulum swing?
Performance of the Week (Notebook)
Performance of the Week Jan. 31, 2005
Milestones Jan. 31, 2005 (Notebook / Milestones)
That Sundance Cred (Notebook)
Hollywood stars are using the indie festival to establish credibility
Flying Jumbo (Notebook)
Airbus unveils the world's largest passenger plane
PEOPLE
First Look: No, This Is Not Charlie's Angels 3 (First Look)
So Much For That Family Reunion
The Donald's Latest Merger
Tonight on Letterman: H-E-E-E-E-E-E-R-E's JOHNNY!
10 Questions for Marion Barry (Interview)
The former D.C. mayor and drug user talks to TIME
LETTERS
Letters: Jan. 31, 2005
ESSAY
The Truth About Elections
They're not the hard part of democracy, as a Frenchman once taught America