As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. These pieces delve into complex themes including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on power. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It poses a key query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically changing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the highest levels of government.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of the events is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest journalism
