While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth stories stands out. These narratives delve into complex subjects from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This poses a pressing question: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical solution – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The best narratives
