As we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional in-depth pieces stands out. These pieces explore complex topics from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp critiques on power. Although numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become wary.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation might improve. I was tragically wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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