As we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional in-depth stories stands out. These accounts probe complex topics including political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on power. Although several of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a key question: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she really reformed, and is the director's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life might turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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