As we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces shines. Such accounts delve into multifaceted subjects including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the history of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing bitter argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical end – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the full story of the events is still partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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