Upon consider the previous year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth pieces shines. These accounts probe intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the full nature of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his life might improve. I was tragically misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence 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 China. Now, he may hold the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
