As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. Such pieces explore multifaceted topics including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the events remains partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his situation could turn around. I was sadly misplaced.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living 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 worldwide technological rivalry.
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