As we look back on the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles emerges. Such accounts probe intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging times, families depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of the events remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the reality that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation might turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
