Upon look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable in-depth pieces stands out. These narratives delve into complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. This poses a key question: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a significant force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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