As we consider the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable in-depth articles emerges. Such accounts delve into intricate topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now get him killed.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the history of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's true methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, families depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a major player on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best stories
