COVER

How the Right Went Wrong (Nation)

Conservatives are gloomy. The Republican candidates are struggling. Can the party reclaim Reagan's legacy?

NATION

Victims of an Outsourced War (TIME Investigation)

They were killed in Iraq fighting not for their country but for their company. Now the families of four slain employees of a private security firm are seeking answers

WORLD

Iran's War Within

Why signs of turmoil among Iran's leaders may be the U.S.'s best hope for avoiding a showdown with Tehran

A Way Out of Iran's Nuclear Impasse?

The country's U.N. ambassador is floating a promising idea, reports Walter Isaacson: to turn over ownership of Iran's enrichment plants to an international consortium

SCIENCE

Why the Buffalo Roam (Environment)

Bison are flourishing again on the plains--because we like to eat them. Thoughts on a paradox

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Where Doctors Go Wrong (Medicine)

A new book argues that most medical mistakes are the result not of technical mishaps but of common mental traps. Here are four things to watch out for

SOCIETY

Conscientious Objectors (Life / History)

Opposing the War of 1812 killed the Federalist Party. Democrats should tread carefully

Teens Team Up to Give Back (Life / The Power of One)

City Year offers students an inspiring intro to the world of community service Teens Team Up to Give Back

Google Gooses Big Media (Life / The Curious Capitalist)

The search giant rewrote the rules of distribution and selling ads. The big movie, TV and print outfits may never catch up

A Road Map to Prevention (Life / Crime)

The best way to reduce recidivism is through rehabilitation--not of prisoners but of the neighborhoods that produce them

ESSAY

Limousine Liberal Hypocrisy (Commentary)

Carbon credits alone won't do much to offset the damage done by energy-guzzling spendthrifts. Al Gore, cut the pretense

BRIEFING

BUSINESS

A Whole New Crew

A down-on-its-luck retailer and an out-of-work merchant fashion a joint comeback. How Mickey Drexler erased the gap in his rèsumè

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Will Ferrell: Brilliant Idiot (Arts: The Big Picture - Books - Downtime / Movies)

How the sketch comedian made a career out of improvised stupidity, humiliation and bare skin

The Coming Fight Over TV Gore (Culture Complex)

Janet Jackson's nipples are so three years ago. The guardians of decency are now turning their attention from sex to violence. Look out, Jack Bauer

SPECIAL SECTION

Home Work (Global Business / Mexico)

If there are jobs, there's no need to go al otro lado. How one town beat the system to fund start-ups

A Thirst for Growth (Global Business / Infrastructure)

Your water supply may be controlled by a French company--even if you live in China

Positive Poles (Global Business / Europe)

How emigrants boosted the economy in Britain and Ireland

PEOPLE

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

TO OUR READERS

A New Chapter

We've redesigned TIME to provide you with a clearer and more forward-looking take on the world

LETTERS