As we look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional in-depth pieces emerges. These accounts explore intricate subjects from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of what happened remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life might change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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