Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. Such pieces probe complex subjects ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting intense argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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