While we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. Such accounts probe complex themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the nineties with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could still cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the history of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a major force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
The finest stories
