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Upon reflect on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. These accounts probe multifaceted subjects from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.

A Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation

Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on power. Although many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still get him killed.

The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the history of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.

A UK Cult That Hid in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had committed.

The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights

A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.

Breaking a Country's Identity

A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?

The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.

Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment solution – until possibly now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of the state.

An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side

With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.

A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key player on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?

A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story

What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?

The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.

The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat contested.

The "Genius" of the Online Age

He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?

Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?

A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution

When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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