While we consider the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. Such accounts probe intricate themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting satires on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this ambitious role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
