COVER

The American Soldier (Cover | TIME's Person of The Year)

The U.S. G.I. is TIME's Person of the Year

NEWSMAKERS

TIME's Newsmakers of 2003 (Person Of The Year 2003)

Because this was a year of bitter conflict, TIME's 2003 Newsmakers are paired offtoe to toe. Chirac Vs. Blair. Achmat Vs. Mbeki. Chávez Vs. Lula.

Newsmakers: Chirac Vs. Blair (Person Of The Year 2003)

The age-old rift between the British and the French is widened by wars and talk of war

Newsmakers: Achmat Vs. Mbeki (Person of The Year 2003)

Activist Zackie Achmat pushed President Thabo Mbeki to get serious about the AIDS crisis — and Mbeki did

Newsmakers: Chávez Vs. Lula (Person Of The Year 2003)

Lula and Chávez represent two paths — Lula aims to help the poor and woo investors, while áespouses an anti-U.S. line

GLOBAL ADVISER

The Lille Thing Means A Lot (Time Traveler)

Earlier this month, to launch itself as the European Capital of Culture 2004 Lille threw a spectacular "White Ball" street bash that had more than 500,000 revelers jamming all night—and that's just the start

BRIEFING

Biz Watch (Notebook)

Schröder's Christams Gift; 3G Gets Curiouser and Curiouser