As we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable in-depth stories emerges. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get wary.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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