Upon look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. These pieces delve into intricate subjects including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. This prompts a key query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing heated controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is she really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, families depend on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life could turn around. I was sadly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
