As we consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable in-depth stories emerges. These narratives probe intricate subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she truly a new person, and what are the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, families turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a key force on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation might improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending decades 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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