While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. Such pieces probe intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on power. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing question: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the story of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing bitter argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she really changed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a major player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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