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As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional in-depth pieces stands out. These accounts probe multifaceted themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.

A Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Nation

An author became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our human race. But, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open

One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking extent of abuse it had committed.

The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights

Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.

Shattering a Nation's Myth

A film tracking a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, families rely on him to restore order.

Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – up until possibly now.

The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of government.

The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret

With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.

A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital

An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a key actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry

Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story

How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret

When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers

When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.

A "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?

One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. I was tragically mistaken.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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