As we look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. These accounts delve into complex subjects ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. While many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a pressing query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The resulting heated argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life might improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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