Politics

Swamp Thing

A profile of Nick Ayers, US Vice President Mike Pence’s 35-year-old chief of staff, looking at the influential role he plays in protecting his boss. The piece delves into his rapid rise, the sources of his surprisingly large net worth and his numerous potential conflicts of interest.

Angela Merkel: The Chancellor Next Door

A profile that makes rather a lot from a seemingly brief conversation with the German Chancellor, weaving in insights and anecdotes from interviews with others that know her and played a part in her ascent

Rex Tillerson at the Breaking Point

A profile of Donald Trump’s Secretary of State in action. Two reported quotes early on provide an insight into the piece – “I don’t know. I’m not a diplomat”, said at a UN showdown with Iran, and “fucking moron” when describing his President at a gathering of national-security officials.

Front Runner

A concerning profile of Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far right National Front, a party that received 6.8 million votes in recent regional elections, whilst continuing to espouse extreme policies.