While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces shines. Such pieces probe complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a key query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only path to escape prison was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich country has become a major player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of the events remains partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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