Heads of State

By Melissa August, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Daren Fonda, Ellin Martens, Benjamin Nugent, Julie Rawe, Eric Roston and Josh Tyrangiel

COMBING THROUGH HISTORY Few things are predictable in Russian politics, and with Vladimir Putin's inauguration May 7, the situation is murkier than ever--at least judging by the man's hairline. Since Czar Nicholas II, Russian and Soviet leaders have been alternately balding and richly hirsute. (Americans, on the other hand, haven't elected a cue ball since Eisenhower.) But Putin has Kremlin coiffologists scratching their heads. Is he balding or isn't he? With the direction of Putin's hairline, like his leadership style, unknown, Russians can only wait, watch and rinse.