Upon look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories stands out. These narratives probe complex topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment solution – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful narratives
