As we look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional in-depth pieces emerges. These narratives probe intricate subjects ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting bitter argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, families depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment solution – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
The International AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who wins the global AI race.
The finest narratives
