As we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles emerges. Such pieces explore multifaceted topics from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a key actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
