While we consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles stands out. Such narratives delve into intricate topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a key question: Has the author become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the secret to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
