While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable in-depth stories emerges. These narratives delve into complex topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell millions of books. This raises a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. But, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest hours, families rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment end – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a significant actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life could change for the better. I was sadly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
