Vol. 165 No. 5.

COVER

Can Iraq Rule Itself?
Amid continuing violence, Iraqis prepare for a crucial election. Here's what it will take for the next government to gain legitimacy--and why the new leaders may demand that the U.S. withdraw


If the U.S. hopes to withdraw from Iraq, it needs to succeed in training a police force


The Pentagon has a new plan for training Iraqis. Will it work?

NATION

Rebel in the Ranks
Why is a key Bush ally attacking his Social Security plan, and what does it mean for the rest of the G.O.P.?

Celebration and Dissent
The Inauguration is as close as America comes to a coronation

Losing the Green Light (Book Excerpt)
Former EPA chief Christine Todd Whitman on how a Bush Campaign promise was dumped

SCIENCE

Postcards From Titan
A brief visit by a remarkable probe reveals a Saturnian moon that looks eerily like a place we know well: Earth

SOCIETY

Harvard's Crimson Face
The university's blunt president sparks a furor about women. Is he hurting the Ivy's brand?

Stealth Attack On Evolution
Who is behind the movement to give equal time to Darwin's critics, and what do they really want?

SPORT

King James
Lebron James is the latest phenom with the "next Michael" label — and the first who seems likely to earn it

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

The New Idea Labs (The New Economy)
As more firms send research to India and China, could the U.S. fall behind?

China's Cat-and-Mouse Game (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)

Furniture for Everyone (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)

Etiquette Lessons (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)

The Slide Shuffler (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)

Rank Rules! (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Briefing)

The Davos Man (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / The New Economy)
Does globalization make the world richer or poorer?

Tech Pioneers (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / Innovation)
Sometimes you have to quit what you're doing to pursue your ideas. These scientists took the risk--and it paid off

World Beaters (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / World Beaters)
People to Watch in International Business

Unexpected Encounters (Time Bonus Section February 2005: Global Business / The Global Life)
In Johannesburg and Cape Town, you can see all sides of the new South Africa


Iyad Allawi says he's the tough leader Iraq needs. Do voters believe him?

BUSINESS

The Commission Squeeze
The Internet can make it cheaper to buy a house, but not everyone is putting out the welcome mat

Scambuster Inc.
Barry Minkow, felon, is helping the feds uncover fraudulent financial schemes

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Green Party (Music)
How punk popsters Green Day had a midlife crisis and came up with a personal, political, Grammy-nominated rock opera

Moving Beyond Words (Books)
In a very fine debut novel, a man who cannot speak intelligibly tries to connect to a boy in distress

Indie Rock's Dark Prince (Music)
On a pair of CDs, minstrel of misery Conor Oberst (a.k.a. Bright Eyes) proves great--one out of two tries

Tough Kids (Movies)
They bond to survive in the deft Nobody Knows

YOUR TIME

Yoga's Growing Reach (Style)
A trove of new gear embraces the yoga mystique

Sipping Sideways (Living)
A film character's passion for wine has viewers seeking out the best Pinot Noir

Folate for Everybody? (Your Health)
Megadoses of the vitamin lower blood pressure in women--and maybe in men

Fit To Be A Mom? (Health)

The Next Step In The Science Of Skin Care (Style)

Ouch! That's Gotta Hurt! (Health)

Seamless Style (Style)

NOTEBOOK

At Gitmo, the Wait Goes On
Detainees in limbo

Justice Scalia: The Charm Offensive
The Supreme Court's controversial member jockeys for Chief Justice

A New Osama Push
A bigger bin Laden reward

77 Years Ago In Time (Milestones)

Verbatim

Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Spongebob isn't the first cartoon character to cause a stir over homosexuality

No ... Teenager Left Behind?
An expansion of education legislation is sparking opposition from both sides

How to Survive an Avalanche
With more people in avalanche-heavy areas, attention is shifting to self-rescue

Numbers

Playing with Fire (In The Arena)

Performance Of The Week

Milestones (Milestones)

That Sundance Cred
Hollywood stars are using the indie festival to establish credibility

Flying Jumbo
Airbus unveils the world's largest passenger plane

PEOPLE

No, This Is Not Charlie's Angels 3 (First Look)

So Much For That Family Reunion

The Donald's Latest Merger

Tonight on Letterman: H-E-E-E-E-E-E-R-E's JOHNNY!

10 Questions for Marion Barry (Interview)
The former D.C. mayor and drug user talks to TIME

LETTERS

Read the story

ESSAY

The Truth About Elections
They're not the hard part of democracy, as a Frenchman once taught America