As we consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. These narratives probe intricate themes including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still get him killed.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is this person truly a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys 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 the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of what happened remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The best narratives
