As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth stories emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted topics ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with scathing satires on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing bitter controversy has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging times, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the exact story of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
