While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth pieces emerges. Such narratives delve into complex subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record 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 past year has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she really changed, and what are the director's true methods?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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