As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces emerges. These pieces probe multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing query: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful narratives
