As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. These pieces explore intricate subjects including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. This raises a key query: Has he become an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the director's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, families turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of what happened remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could improve. I was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful narratives
