COVER
The Biology of Belief (Science / Mind & Body)
Science and religion argue all the time, but they increasingly agree on one thing: a little spirituality may be very good for your health
Photos: How The World Heals
Across countries and faiths, the devout believe the power of the spirit can heal the ills of the flesh
Faith and Healing: A Forum (The Well / Mind & Body)
Keeping (Or Finding) The Faith (Mind & Body)
Research Institutes. The study of religion and medicine is clearly a growth market
NATION
How Maine's GOP Senators Are Key to Obama's Agenda (The Well / Nation)
Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, Republicans from Maine, helped save Obama's stimulus from defeat. How they could make or break his agenda
Can Robert Gates Tame the Pentagon? (The Well / Nation)
In his two years as Defense Secretary, Robert Gates has earned high marks for candor and common sense. But curbing the Pentagon's appetite for expensive new weapons could be his biggest challenge yet
ESSAY
How Israel's Anger Issues Hurt Us All (Commentary / In the Arena)
The election has strengthened anti-Arab forces who are isolating the country from the world
A Fresh Start (Commentary)
Climate change offers a chance for the U.S. and China to forge a partnership
I Wrote the Oscars!
Maybe just a little bit of them. And the hugs from Hugh Jackman are all the reward I need
WORLD
Resisting School Integration in Savannah (Postcard: Savannah)
Facing budget woes, Georgia mulls merging its white and black colleges. This time, many African Americans are saying no. Fighting to keep separate schools separate
Talking and Listening to Iran (The Well / World)
The Obama Administration wants a new relationship with Tehran. A look inside the country shows why that may be hard to achieve
The Warlords of Afghanistan (The Well / World)
With the U.S.-backed government unable to maintain security, local strongmen are wielding more power than ever--and causing ordinary Afghans to lose faith in the West
A Glimmer of Hope in Africa (World)
The war in eastern Congo has been the source of unspeakable horror, but there is a chance that change is coming
Can Change Come to Congo?
Photographer James Nachtwey witnesses the fallout from years of war and plunder
Abu Dhabi: An Oil Giant Dreams Green (The Well / World)
The gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi got rich on the back of black gold, but its planned carbon-free city could represent the future of environmentalism
BRIEFING
The Moment
2|7|09: New York City
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Verbatim
A Brief History of Peanut Butter
Iraq's Victories and Defeats — in Washington
Pop Chart
Milestones
Lux Interior (Milestones)
Betty Jameson
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Grand Theft Auto's Extreme Storytelling (Video Games)
It's famous for being violent, but Grand Theft Auto is also a supremely ambitious experiment in storytelling
Donald Barthelme: America's Weirdest Literary Genius (Books)
A new biography asks, How did America's weirdest literary genius get that way?
How the Oscars Became the Emmys (Movies)
Once again, Hollywood has nominated little films for its big awards. No, not Slumdog Millionaire — that's a breakout hit — but worthy miniatures like Frost/Nixon that look so good on the small screen, they ought to be up for Best TV Special
Pictures of Lily (Music)
The precocious Brit uses her second album to explore the more serious side of pop
A TV Critic in the Post-TV World (The Well / Media)
When TV moves from your living room to your laptop and your phone, how does it change? A critic's look at the big (and little) picture
Marcia Gay Harden's Short List (Short List)
Short List (Short List)
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
BUSINESS
Resolving the Paradox of Thrift (Commentary / The Curious Capitalist)
America is in dire need of a return to saving, frugality and prudence. But not yet
How to Fix the Housing Market (The Well / Business)
Washington says it wants to help homeowners, but so far it hasn't. Here's what might actually work
25 People to Blame for the Financial Crisis (The Well / Business)
The good intentions, bad managers and greed behind the meltdown
In Defense of the Blame Game
EDUCATION
Making Reading, Writing and Recession Work Together
State budget crises have forced schools to cut back--and students are paying the price
SCIENCE
The Ever Evolving Theories of Darwin (Science)
He recognized how life-forms adapt and survive. But only today are scientists uncovering many of evolution's deepest secrets
SOCIETY
Advice for the New Dating Game (Life / Social Norms)
As finding a mate gets more complicated, some unlikely matchmakers are stepping up
Are Hugs the New Handshakes? (Life / Social Norms)
From the White House to The Real World to your office, greetings are getting warm and fuzzy
Should School Districts Drug-Test Teachers? (Life / Education)
Some U.S. school districts require random drug-testing of teachers, and the issue is being increasingly debated across the country. The question is, does drug-testing work?
Better Business Via Bouncy Castles (Life / Cubicle Culture)
Who knew corporate team-building still existed? The people who run kids' bouncy castles
Why Facebook Is for Old Fogies (Life / Nerd World)
It was designed for college kids. But it took legions of people their parents' age to fulfill its ultimate destiny
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Eat Your Greens (Wellness / Eating Green)
Preparing meals with a small carbon footprint is good for the climate and your waistline
Making Good Health Easy (Wellness / Motivation)
Having trouble sticking with those wholesome choices? Maybe your boss can help