While we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable in-depth stories shines. Such pieces probe complex topics including political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting satires on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical end – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the very highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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