Upon look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth stories emerges. Such pieces explore complex topics ranging from political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the history of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of exploitation it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is she really changed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An extremely rich country has risen as a major force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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