Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. Such narratives explore complex themes ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, families depend on him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy country has become a major actor on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The finest narratives
