As we look back on the past year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth articles stands out. These narratives probe complex themes including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on power. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the director's true methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy country has become a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
