COVER

The TIME 100

Our fifth annual list of the world's most influential people: leaders, thinkers, heroes, artists, scientists and more

ESSAY

For God's Sake, Rank the TIME 100

Noted statistician Joel Stein creates a mathematical formula to rank the influence of everyone from Vladimir Putin to Bruce Springsteen

TO OUR READERS

The TIME 100 Team

What does it take to produce 100 profiles by 100 writers, plus great photography and five different covers? A whole world of talent

NATION

Clinton's Superdelegate Hunter (The Well / Campaign '08)

Harold Ickes has toiled for insurgent Democrats since Eugene McCarthy in 1968. Now he's working for Hillary Clinton

Exit Wright (In The Arena)

The preacher's brand of hate has haunted the Democrats for decades. An Obama win would silence it for good

WORLD

Zainab Salbi Helps Women Recover (Life: Health - Work In Progress - Nerd World - Power Of One / Power of One)

Zainab Salbi's mother urged her never to lose her voice. Now she helps women in war-torn areas regain theirs

Measuring Iraq's Security Forces (The Well / World)

The U.S. is counting on Iraq's security forces to take on greater responsibilities. But despite some progress, the Iraqis remain plagued by desertion and sectarianism--if they're even awake. Why the U.S. still can't stand down

Postcard: Elk Grove (Postcard: Elk Grove)

Determined residents are helping one California suburb fight its way back from the housing crisis. Now just might be the right time to buy a home

BRIEFING

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Raw Milk Straight from the Cow (Life: Health - Work In Progress - Nerd World - Power Of One / Health)

More natural-food devotees are getting their milk directly from the farm. Should you make the switch?

BUSINESS

Coming Clean on Worker Salaries (Life: Health - Work In Progress - Nerd World - Power Of One / Work in Progress)

Not knowing what your colleagues make can hurt you. A modest proposal for closing the paycheck gap

TECHNOLOGY

Fun with Photoshop (Life: Health - Work In Progress - Nerd World - Power Of One / Nerd World)

How a bitter character with a talent for Photoshop became one of the biggest, funniest hits on the Web

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Rules of Disengagement (Global Business: Turkey - Mining - Investing - Top Business Teams / Investing)

Pension funds may take a more active role in the growing financial war against terrorism

Gem of an Idea. (Global Business: Turkey - Mining - Investing - Top Business Teams / Mining)

An alliance between Botswana and De Beers offers a further remedy to Africa's "resource curse"

Istanbul's Economic Tension (Global Business: Turkey - Mining - Investing - Top Business Teams / Turkey)

A lawsuit threatens to undo the pro-Islamic government's record of reform and growth

Different by Design (Global Business: Turkey - Mining - Investing - Top Business Teams / Top Business Teams)

A new breed of consultant is using the tools of design to solve business problems creatively

Business Books.

What do you do when your partner cheats--not inside the bedroom but within the family finances? Slogans that really sizzle; manga management 101

LETTERS