While we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles emerges. These pieces explore complex themes ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only path to escape prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now get him killed.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy country has become a key player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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