As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth stories stands out. Such pieces probe complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. Although many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pertinent question: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is she really reformed, and is the director's true methods?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective medical solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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