As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional in-depth pieces shines. These narratives probe intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing satires on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true motives?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich country has become a major player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the exact story of the events is still somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation could turn around. I was sadly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
