As we look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth articles emerges. These accounts probe complex subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film following a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she really a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a key player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the full story of the events remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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