COVER

The Democrats Savor Their Victory (Special Report | U.S. Elections)

With control of both houses in their sights, the next challenge is to show they know how to run the country

Level of Trust (Special Report | U.S. Elections)

Q&A: Nancy Pelosi tells TIME how it will feel to be the first woman Speaker of the House.

A Blow to Idealism? (Special Report | U.S. Elections)

The realists triumphed the idealists on Tuesday. But US foreign policy needs a combination of both

MIDDLE EAST

Searching for an Exit Plan (Middle East | Iraq)

A new team, made up of some old Bush family friends, will try to help the President find a way out of the Iraq mess

Capital Punishment (MIddle East | Iraq)

Saddam's sentencing shows Iraqis support the death penalty, but a rash of summary hangings raises questions about the country's justice system

BRIEFING

GLOBAL ADVISER

Asha's Encore (Curtain Raiser)

India's star Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle in Belgium

Desert Flower (Diversions)

The city of Nukus is an avant-garde oasis in Central Asia

Spice Island (Amuse-Bouche)

Upmarket dining in a backpackers' Thai paradise