Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth articles stands out. These accounts explore complex themes ranging from political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film following a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life might improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
