While we consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth articles shines. Such narratives probe intricate themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he still move millions of copies. It poses a pressing query: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the director's own motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life could turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
