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Upon look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional in-depth pieces stands out. Such accounts probe multifaceted subjects from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.

The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.

A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.

The UK Sect That Operated in the Open

One woman was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.

The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.

Breaking a Nation's Myth

A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex queries: Is she really reformed, and what are the director's true intentions?

A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals turn to him to restore peace.

Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – until possibly now.

The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.

The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret

With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.

A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub

An incredibly rich country has risen as a key player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious role?

A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry

Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?

The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of what happened is still somewhat contested.

A "Master" of the Attention Economy

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?

A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution

When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.

The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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