Upon consider the past year, a selection of outstanding in-depth pieces emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted topics including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
A Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It prompts a key query: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, families rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical solution – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious role?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the events remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation could improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
