While we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. Such accounts probe complex themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It raises a key question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the very highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a major force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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