While we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the director's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Small State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious role?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
