As we look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. Such narratives delve into intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. While many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. It raises a key question: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, families depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical remedy – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy country has become a key force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise story of the events remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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