COVER

Bush Makes His Case Against Saddam (Asia)

The President has to take on Congress before he can take out the Iraqi leader. In this high-stakes election season, that means playing hardball

ASIA

Hope in the Valley

Elections won't heal the India-Pakistan rift, but they've created a surprising surge of new hope

People Power

Maverick governors are introducing Japan to real democracy

Guilt Trip (Letter From North Korea)

Japanese visitors to North Korea are not allowed to forget their country's tyranny

BUSINESS

Swimming in Debt

As the economy swoons, the governor of Tokyo kicks Japan's ailing banks

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Blood Sport

TIME visits the Beijing set of Quentin Tarantino's martial arts flick Kill Bill

Triple Whammy

Director Corey Yuen's So Close proves that if one kung fu-kicking heroine is fine, three is even better

Sermons from On High

A new collection of essays by Nobel prizewinner V.S. Naipaul showcases both his virtues and vices

TECHNOLOGY

BRIEFING

Walking the Plank (Notebook)

U.S.S. Kitty Hawk captain steps down amid allegations of crimes by crew members

Milestones (Notebook)

For the Week of September 16, 2002

TRAVEL

Detour

Nagarahole is a lush tropical forest on the edge of Coorg

Short Cuts

Valanoor is a picture-book angler's haven

Hot Deal

In Coorg, you don't need to be on the guest list to attend a wedding