Afghanistan: Can Obama Sell America on This War? (Cover Story)
The President offered a reasoned case for expansion in Afghanistan. But Americans need inspiration as well
 Life in the Afghan National Army
Photos: A look at the troops who President Obama hopes will someday provide security in Afghanistan reveals a force with limited resources

Obama Shrinks the War on Terrorism (Essay)
Obama's foreign policy takes a narrower view of American power--we can't fight everyone all at once


Where Did Reform Go? (Health Care)
Congress is quietly watering down provisions in health care legislation that were supposed to control medical costs

Is California Sold on Governor Meg Whitman? (The Well / Profile)
Former eBay boss Meg Whitman is a socially moderate Republican with celebrity status, high name recognition and money to burn. But does California want Governator II?


Tiger and the Salahis: Two Kinds of Celebrity Crash (Tuned In)
Two crashes--at the White House and at Tiger's house--show what a wreck celebrity has become

Why Congress is Furious at the Fed (The Curious Capitalist)
An angry Congress wants to reshape the central bank. And you can't say it's entirely wrong

Beyond Copenhagen (Commentary / Viewpoint)
The climate-change summit will not produce a plan. So it's time for a fresh approach

Will Fear of Big Government End Obama's Audacity?
Voters have turned suspicious of federal spending programs. That could upend the President's agenda

Slow Times At My 20th High School Reunion
I'm the most famous guy at my high school reunion. That plus $122 gets me a Coors Light


Postcard from Las Cruces
Deep in New Mexico's desert, state officials and Britain's top entrepreneur are building a business that's out of this world. An epic journey to the edge of space


The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

Verbatim (Briefing)

The Moment (Briefing)
12/1/09

Brief History: Dubai

The Skimmer
Book Review: The Moral Underground: How Ordinary Americans Subvert an Unfair Economy by Lisa Dodson

Mike Penner (Milestones)

Yang Xianyi (Milestones)

King of the (Blue) World (Movies)
Titanic director James Cameron pilots his fantasy epic Avatar to screen. Will it sink or swim?

Steampunk: Reclaiming Tech for the Masses (Culture)
Why steampunk is the subculture of the moment

The Memoirist's Club (Books)
Mary Karr's third book is her most intimate

Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK


Climate Change: The Tragedy of the Himalayas (The Well / Environment)
Climate change is melting glaciers high in the Himalayas, threatening crucial water resources for much of Asia — and giving us a convincing reason to fight it
 Himalayan Glaciers Under Threat
Photos: Climate change at the top of the world imperils Asia's water supply
 Creating New Land for Climate Refugees in Bangladesh
Video: Siltation from Himalayan glaciers creates new land deposits in Bangladesh, where settlers who have fled natural disasters make new homes


Celebrity Chefs Show How to Lose Weight (Life / Food)
Amid all the tasting, fat chefs are finding ways to get skinny
 Top Chef, Meet Biggest Loser
How to slim down when your job is tempting other people's palates

Humanure (Going Green)
Goodbye, toilets. Hello, extreme composting. Why the future may hold more old-school commodes

Campus Smoking Bans? Some Saying 'Lighten Up' (Education)
As more schools ban smoking outside, compliance is often left to peer pressure, not punishment

TV on the Go (Techland)
Why rush home to see your favorite show when it can be simulcast in your hand?


Get Smart (COP15: Climate)
The electrical grid is leaky, but networking it to the Internet could create a clean-energy revolution

Banking on Carbon (COP15: Green Finance)
Climate change is a megatrend opportunity, says Deutsche Bank. Ignore it at your peril

Will the World's Largest Cruise Ship Sink or Swim? (Tourism)
With its biggest ship ever, Royal Caribbean plans to give travelers a more landlike trip


Business Books
Drop that credit card! Frugality is the new chic, and belt-tightening is all the rage. Three authors show how to find true contentment with less stuff


Inbox (Inbox)


10 Questions for Dave Grohl
The Foo Fighters guitarist talks Nirvana, Greatest Hits and chewing gum. Dave Grohl will now take your questions