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While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth articles shines. Such pieces explore complex subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. While numerous of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move millions of copies. This poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict

The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.

The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Sect That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.

A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law

Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.

Shattering a Nation's Identity

A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she really reformed, and what are the director's own methods?

The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to restore peace.

Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective medical remedy – until potentially now.

A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government

A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.

An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.

The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital

An incredibly wealthy country has become a significant force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?

An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story

How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret

When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.

A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When details about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.

A "Genius" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?

Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.

A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the secret to who wins the global AI race.

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