As we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces stands out. Such accounts probe multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the story of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent intense argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is she really changed, and is the director's true methods?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get wary.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key player on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the procedures is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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