Upon consider the previous year, a assortment of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. Such narratives explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. Whereas many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key question: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a major player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
