Upon consider the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces stands out. These accounts probe complex subjects including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has the author become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life could improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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