While we consider the past year, a selection of outstanding in-depth articles emerges. These accounts delve into complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape prison was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still get him killed.
The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording poses complex questions: Is she truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the exact story of what happened is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might change for the better. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence 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. Today, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The best stories
