As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth articles emerges. Such accounts delve into intricate subjects including political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. It poses a key query: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest hours, people depend on him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An extremely rich country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
