As we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional in-depth pieces stands out. These accounts delve into multifaceted topics from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many followers expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex queries: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the very highest levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a major player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
