Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth articles shines. These accounts delve into multifaceted subjects including political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It poses a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of what happened remains partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest stories