As we consider the past year, a selection of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. These pieces explore multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. While many of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now get him killed.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the history of our human race. But, a faction was convinced. The ensuing intense controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, people depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest levels of government.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich country has risen as a key actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the events remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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