Cover Story: Soldiers of Good Fortune
By Barry Yeoman
They're in the Army now: how the Bush Administration is using private military companies to wage the war on terrorism.

What's a River For?
By Bruce Barcott
Farmers, ranchers, fishermen, Native American tribes. In the fight over the Klamath River's water, everybody loses -- especially the salmon.

Where Are You, Beloved General?
By Jonathan Watts
A xenophobic leader, an economy in free fall, a dogma of belligerent brinksmanship. Welcome to North Korea.

The Torturers Next Door
By Karen Olsson
A thousand human-rights violators reside in the United States. Now, their victims -- and an amateur detective in South Florida -- are determined to bring them to justice.

In the Valley of the Dictator
Photo Essay by Jonas Bendiksen
Text by Matthew Brzezinski
Uzbekistan is a crucial ally in the war on terror. So why should we care what Islam Krimov does to his own people?

Fear and Fallout in Los Alamos
By Bill Donahue
In the town that Oppenheimer built, nuclear families and nuclear bombs go hand in hand.

Cruising on the Ark of Taste
By Michael Pollan
Listening to Slow Food: notes on the art -- and politics -- of eco-gastronomy.

Editor's Note
Masthead
Contributors
Backtalk

OUTFRONT
The hydrocarbons behind the hydrogen car; fighting terrorism with Ecstasy; money orders and McCarthyism; supplements to die for; plus, the revolution will be emailed

EXHIBIT
Death, be not serious; pop and politics; stamping out drug use

PUBLIC DOMAIN
Stop Making Sense
By George Packer
Living with uncertainty: a guide to the mind at war.

THE SLANT
A Bully's Pulpit
By Jack Hitt
The president of our TV Nation doesn't understand how media now works. And it's costing us dearly.

EXPOSURE
Tour de Force
Pedaling weapons in Sudan

MEDIA JONES
Joshua Wolf Shenk on drug propaganda and functioning potheads; Lucinda Williams makes some noise; windows on war; Lil' Kim vs. Kim Jong II, a Mother Jones smackdown; plus more book, music, film reviews

P.S.
Electronic Anti-Missive Defense Shield to Protect White House
Cartoon by Bruce McCall