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Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. Such narratives probe multifaceted subjects from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.

The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country

An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. This poses a pressing query: Has he become an supporter for the regime?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.

The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. But, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Sect That Operated in the Open

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

A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law

Many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.

Challenging a Country's Myth

A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?

A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to bring back peace.

Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical end – until perhaps now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest levels of government.

An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side

With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become uneasy.

The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub

An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this ambitious project?

A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?

An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.

A "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – 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 Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?

A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution

As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could turn around. I was sadly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.

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