Upon reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. These accounts explore complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may still get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging times, individuals depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical end – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of the events remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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