TIME's Summer Reading List

Summer is a bracingly honest season for readers: it's too hot to pretend to be clever, so you just read books you actually like. TIME asked some of its favorite writers what they read when they read for fun

Why Obama's Afghan War is Different

A Marine offensive in Helmand prioritizes securing the local population over killing insurgents. That, say U.S. officials, is the key to defeating the Taliban

U.S. and Russia: The Talk Starts Here

There will be disagreements when President Obama visits Russia. But both Moscow and Washington know the relationship needs mending

How Medicated Was Michael Jackson?

Inside the murky world of the King of Pop's alleged drug use

When Benedict Meets Barack

The Vatican and the White House juggle their schedules to create a stellar photo opportunity. And Obama and the Pope also have plenty to discuss

Swampland

It's taken me a week, but I've finally found my 2002 Halloween photos. Yes, that's me in a "Beat It" costume cobbled together with my dad's old sunglasses.

5 Media Myths Debunked by Michael Jackson's Death

Michael Jackson's death should have provided a blueprint for how new media has overthrown old. But what it actually did was shine a white hot spotlight on the myths of the current media landscape

Tegucigalpa

Hondurans Take Sides and Hit the Streets

In the wake of the military coup that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya on June 28, the country is split between those who support his return and those who are glad to see him gone. Now both sides are protesting in the streets