The Outsider: Where Is Sarah Palin Going Next? (The Well / Cover Story)
Sarah Palin's outsider politics takes her on the road less traveled. But where is she going?


No Charisma? Don't Worry, You Can Still Be a Leader (The Well / Leadership)
In the U.S., leaders are expected to look great, sound great and be inspiring. In other countries--not so much

Can Community Colleges Save the U.S. Economy? (The Well / Education)
As laid-off workers add to surging enrollments, the White House looks to two-year schools for an educational bailout


Getting Down to the Hard Choices (Commentary / In the Arena)
Why Obama needs to get tougher on his domestic agenda--and come clean on taxes

Michael Jackson: Goodbye, or See You Soon? (Commentary / Tuned In)
Jackson gets a big, cathartic memorial--but that doesn't mean the media frenzy will end

Palin Resignation: A Family Choice?
Does Palin prove that women have to make a choice between career and family life? Not at all


In Guatemala, Chasing Away the Ghost of Alvarado (Postcard: Guatemala City)
Can the outcry over a shocking murder spur legal reforms in one of Latin America's deadliest capitals? Chasing away the bloody ghost of Alvarado

Starting Anew in Afghanistan (The Well / World)
The Afghan war is going badly, and Stan McChrystal wants to fight it differently. He doesn't have much time


Inbox

Brüno's Sacha Baron Cohen: More Than a Comedian (Movies)
With Brüno, Sacha Baron Cohen shows he's not just a comedian

The Boy Who Rocked (Music)
A new generation of bands is taking Harry Potter places J.K. Rowling never did

Maile Meloy's Knockout Short Stories (Books)
In her sharp collection of stories, Maile Meloy pulls no punches

Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK


Postpartum Depression: Do All Moms Need Screening? (Life / Women's Health)
Would it help or hurt to screen all mothers for postpartum depression?

The Pros and Cons of Reverse Mortgages (Life / Personal Finance)
More older Americans are cashing in all their home equity. But is that their best option?

Cheating 2.0: New Mobile Apps Make Adultery Easier (Life / Technology)
A personals site aimed at facilitating extramarital affairs adds mobile apps suspicious spouses can't trace

Paying for Virtual Gifts (Life / Web Watch)
Facebook adds a new wrinkle


Why Are Scotland's Sheep Shrinking? (The Well / Evolution)
As the planet warms, species like the wild Soay sheep are evolving in response--but they may not keep pace with the astonishing speed of climate change


10 Questions for Bill Keller (10 Questions)
As the news business struggles, the New York Times's executive editor talks shop. Bill Keller will now take your questions


Verbatim

The Moment (Briefing)
7|7|09: Los Angeles

The World (Briefing)
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

Spotlight: China's Ethnic Riots (Briefing)

The Skimmer (Briefing)
Book Review: Free: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson

Milestones (Milestones)

Steve McNair (Briefing / Milestones)

A Brief History Of: Black Boxes (Briefing)

Karl Malden (Briefing / Milestones)

Robert McNamara (Briefing / Remembrance)
Learning from a great manager's tragedy