As we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth stories shines. These pieces delve into complex subjects ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life could turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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