While we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth pieces shines. These pieces probe multifaceted subjects including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has he become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings influence the very highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
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