As we consider the previous year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth articles stands out. These pieces probe complex topics including geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on power. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. This prompts a key question: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of prison was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the history of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking extent of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is she truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the events remains partially shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
