COVER
The U.S. in Afghanistan: The Longest War (The Well / World)
After more than seven years, the U.S. and its allies are still fighting in Afghanistan — in a battle fueled by joblessness and poverty. Why failure isn't an option
US Troops Brave Afghanistan's Deadly Korengal Valley
Photos: Photographer Adam Ferguson embeds with the First Infantry as they battle insurgents
NATION
President Obama: At Home Abroad (The Well / Washington Memo)
On his first overseas trip, Obama finds a world ready to work with him. Or at least ready to talk about it
Despite Backlash, Illegal Immigrants Stay Put (The Well / Nation)
A rough economy and tough enforcement have put unprecedented stress on illegal immigrants. What one Oregon town tells us about why they're staying
ESSAY
Glenn Beck: The Fears of a Clown (Tuned In)
Weeping, joking and predicting apocalypse, Fox News star Glenn Beck turns resentment into ratings
Diplomatic Surge: Can Obama's Team Tame the Taliban? (The Well / In the Arena)
A trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan reveals how the Obama team hopes to tame the Taliban
Why Joel Stein Is Not a Narcissist
I sing the Joel electric — and yet I am not technically a narcissist. This explains why I'm not famous
WORLD
New York's Unemployed Olympians (Postcard: New York City)
Unemployed New Yorkers beat the recession blues with the Payday piñata, Pin-the-Blame-on-the-Boss and the "You're Fired!" race.
Unemployment Olympics
Video: Unemployed workers make the most of tough times with fun and games.
BRIEFING
The Moment
4|5|09: New York
Shooting in Binghamton
Photos: At least 14 people are killed at an immigration services center in upstate New York
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Verbatim
A Brief History Of: Accountants
The Skimmer
Book Review: God is Back by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge
Pop Chart
Milestones
Andrea Lawrence
Rocco Morabito
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall? (Music)
Practice. Then audition on YouTube
Zombies Are the New Vampires (The Big Picture)
Hang on to your brains — the walking dead are staging a pop-culture coup
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
BUSINESS
Economist Mark Zandi: The Recession's Hot Wonk (The Well / The Economy)
When economist Mark Zandi talks, Washington listens. A propeller-head's rise
Why Supplanting the Dollar Would Be Good for America (The Curious Capitalist)
The little-known SDR is making a play to become the world's reserve currency. Maybe that's good news
The New Internet Start-Up Boom: Get Rich Slow (The Well / Business)
Surprise: there's never been a better moment to bootstrap your own Internet business. All you need is a laptop, a broadband connection and a great idea. Inside the new start-up boom
TECHNOLOGY
Nintendo Disappoints with the New DSi (Life / User's Guide)
After so many megahits from Nintendo, its new handheld DSi game player is a bit of a letdown
SOCIETY
As Layoffs Mount, Severance Packages More Negotiable (Life / Cash Crunch)
The recession is leading to more layoffs and leaner severance packages. But more employees are now negotiating the terms of their exit
Walgreens' Hippocratic Oath (Life / Health)
Lose your job, get free care
PEOPLE
Miley Cyrus Meets Hannah Montana, At the Multiplex (Profile)
How a 16-year-old girl can capture Hollywood and the heartland, build a media empire and still make it home in time for dinner
The Meteoric Rise of Miley Cyrus / Hannah Montana
The teen sensation adds to her already ginormous media empire with the release of Hannah Montana: The Movie
Dressing Miley Cyrus
Video: Christopher Lawrence designs Miley Cyrus' clothes, and was the costumer for her new movie
SPECIAL SECTION
Capital Intensive (Global Business / Global Adviser)
Recession may have taken off some of the shine, but Moscow can still dazzle. Ten things to do
Buying Binge (Global Business / China)
With prices down, Chinese firms are snapping up stakes in mining and oil companies to lock in raw materials
LETTERS
Inbox
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
The TIME 100
To help select the world's most influential people, we asked these newsmakers to offer their nominations for this year's list