Upon look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted subjects from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While many of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this ambitious project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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