While we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. These pieces probe intricate themes from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It poses a key question: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the story of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The ensuing bitter controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this ambitious role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of the procedures remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life could change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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