As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces emerges. These pieces delve into complex subjects including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may still get him killed.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is she really changed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the very highest levels of government.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the full nature of the events is still partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his life might turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
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