While we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional in-depth pieces stands out. Such narratives explore complex themes from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. While numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of books. It poses a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now get him killed.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing bitter argument has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
