While we consider the past year, a selection of outstanding in-depth pieces shines. Such narratives explore intricate subjects including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing query: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only path out of prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, families rely on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment end – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the very highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
