🔗 Share this article

While we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. These pieces probe multifaceted themes including political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal journeys.

The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country

A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It poses a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?

Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the history of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Cult That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of exploitation it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law

Many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.

Challenging a Nation's Myth

A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?

A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to bring back order.

Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment remedy – until possibly now.

The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of government.

An English Professional With a Crooked Side

With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become wary.

The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center

An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a significant player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?

An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?

The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of what happened remains partially shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?

A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution

As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.

The International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.

The finest journalism