While we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. These accounts probe multifaceted topics ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a key query: Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had committed.
The Leader's Curious Record on International Law
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the director's true motives?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment end – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get wary.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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