As we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. Such accounts delve into complex topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he still move millions of copies. This poses a key query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking scale of exploitation it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The best stories
