As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth articles emerges. These accounts explore multifaceted themes including political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting satires on authoritarianism. While many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing extent of exploitation it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get wary.
A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation might change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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