While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles shines. Such pieces delve into intricate topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a significant force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this ambitious role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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