COVER
Why Israel Doesn't Care About Peace (Cover)
Israelis feel prosperous, secure — and disengaged from the peace process with the Palestinians. Is that wise?
ESSAY
How Can a Democracy Solve Tough Problems? (Commentary / In the Arena)
What if we gave people real choices and real consequences and let them make decisions?
The Piety Trap
Sure, we want to know what a President believes in ... but that doesn't always mean he should tell us
NATION
How Barack Obama Became Mr. Unpopular (The Well / Nation)
Nine weeks before the midterm elections, Barack Obama finds himself on the wrong side of the polls. Where did all that adoration go — and is a Republican sweep next?
Why President Obama Is Mr. Unpopular
TIME White House correspondent Michael Scherer analyzes President Obama's dwindling public support and its effect on the midterm elections
WORLD
Tony Blair on Clinton, Bush and the American Character (Book Adaptation)
In an essay exclusively adapted for TIME from his new memoir, A Journey, Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair reflects on the U.S. Presidents he has known and worked with — and on their country
'The Only Just Way Is Two States for Two Peoples' (Book Adaptation)
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, author of the new memoir A Journey: My Political Life, speaks to TIME about being prepared for office, the Iraq war and hopes for Middle East peace
Waterworld (Pakistan)
Scenes from the Pakistan Floods
Photographer Massimo Berruti documents the aftermath of the worst flooding to strike Pakistan in 80 years
TO OUR READERS
Campaign Kickoff
A historic election season has already begun, and our coverage of it will be unrivaled in its scope, depth and insight
LETTERS
Inbox (Inbox)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Never Let Me Go: Everlasting Love (Movies)
Never Let Me Go, based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, is a superb, poignant film about love unto death
William Gibson Serves Up Zero History (Books)
William Gibson focused on the future in Neuromancer. Now he's helping us make sense of the present
A Boy's Life (Books)
In the novel Skippy Dies, death is just the beginning
Justin Long (Q&A)
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
HEALTH & MEDICINE
The New Drug Crisis: Addiction by Prescription (Health)
Well-intentioned pain policies plus powerful opiate meds is leading to a national epidemic of pill popping — and accidental overdosing
SOCIETY
Time Out: Gauging the Value of a Gap Year Before College (Life / Education)
Is the gap year worth it?
The Government Can Use GPS to Track Your Moves (Life / Law)
A controversial ruling could turn America into the sort of totalitarian state imagined by George Orwell
What's So Funny? (Life / Health)
Laughter-yoga fans hail the health benefits of giggling for no reason
Do Belly Blankets Protect Baby from Radiation? (Life / Techland)
A new product called Belly Armor claims to shield growing fetuses from radiation from mobile devices. But the question is, Is it necessary?
Divorce Insurance: Get Unhitched, Get a Payout (Life / Marriage)
New breakup insurance offers a (depressing) safety net for those hedging marital bets
PEOPLE
10 Questions for Terry McMillan (10 Questions)
The author's Waiting to Exhale sequel, Getting to Happy, is out Sept. 7. Terry McMillan will now take your questions
BRIEFING
The Moment
8|28|10: Washington
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Mark Halperin's Take: Obama's Iraq Speech — Not Very Satisfying (Washington: The Politics Page)
Waiting in the Wings: Cantor and Boehner (Washington: The Politics Page)
Lab Report: Health, Science and Medicine
Verbatim
Brief History: The American Family
The Skimmer
Book Review: Third World America by Arianna Huffington