Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth stories stands out. These accounts explore multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically changing the history of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich country has become a significant player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself 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 efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the events is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
