While we consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding in-depth stories stands out. These pieces probe intricate topics ranging from political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a pressing query: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting bitter argument has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
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