1. 30 Years After Explosion, Challenger Engineer Still Blames Himself

Howard Berkes, NPR (2016)

Challenger is one of those moments that clearly marked a watershed for generation of Americans — a different world to mine, but so clear and so defining for the way our view of space has changed. In this piece, a whistleblower from the time reveals his identity for the first time.

2. Don’t Blame The Dean Scream: An Oral History of a Campaign in Peril

Jack Holmes, Esquire (2016)

In this time of electoral campaigning, it’s important to remember how many times presidential bids blow up, or turn around, or collapse under their own weight. This oral history — a genre that I think deserves a better name than that by now, surely? — lays out those perils perfectly.

3. The Fine Brothers Controversy Explained

Hank Green (2016)

I didn’t follow the controversy that this story explains, but I was interested in the news: one of the most popular YouTube channels lost 250,000 subscribers overnight. How can that happen? Turns out that it’s a combination of misunderstandings, bad communication and old-fashioned internet outrage.

4. If You Think Europe Has a Refugee Crisis, You’re Not Looking Hard Enough

Christian Caryl, Foreign Policy (2016)

As I’ve spent a great deal of the last six months thinking about and working around the refugee situation in the Mediterranean, one thing has become clear to me: Europe’s perception of its position is way out of sync with reality. Sure, there are lots of refugees trying to get to Europe. But — as this piece makes abundantly, numerically, and powerfully clear — the real gravity of the crisis is not even remotely touching European borders.

5. Why Did Two Parents Murder Their Adopted Child?

Giles Tremlett, The Guardian (2016)

I don’t have a lot to say about this apart from that it’s a well-executed, tragic, compelling story that makes you sad, angry and confused all at the same time. Which is a pretty powerful thing.