Upon consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional in-depth pieces stands out. Such accounts probe intricate topics ranging from political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of books. This raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our human race. However, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation might improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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