While we look back on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable in-depth articles stands out. Such accounts probe intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film following a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is she really a new person, and is the director's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical remedy – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings influence the highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get wary.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a major player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
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 two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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