Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth articles emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted themes from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the story of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks complex queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
