While we consider the past year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth pieces shines. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way to escape prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest times, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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