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While we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional in-depth stories shines. Such pieces explore complex subjects including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.

A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on power. Whereas many of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a pertinent query: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.

A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.

The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law

A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly mixed.

Challenging a Nation's Self-Image

A film tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is she really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?

A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to bring back peace.

Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.

A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of the state.

The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret

With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become wary.

A Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub

An astonishingly rich country has become a key player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?

An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle

Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

During the Trial of a Tragic Story

What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.

A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures remains partially unclear.

The "Genius" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?

Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?

One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. That hope was tragically misplaced.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.

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