While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional in-depth articles emerges. Such pieces probe intricate topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. It raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could still get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's own motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this ambitious project?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation might improve. I was tragically mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The best narratives
