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While we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces emerges. These pieces probe complex themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.

The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.

The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings

The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Cult That Hid in the Open

One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.

A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights

A great many supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.

Challenging a Nation's Identity

A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she really changed, and is the director's true methods?

The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to restore order.

Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – until potentially now.

The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics

A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the very highest levels of the state.

An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side

With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get wary.

The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?

An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Case

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning

When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.

The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat contested.

A "Genius" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?

Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?

A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life might change for the better. I was tragically mistaken.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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