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While we consider the previous year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth stories emerges. These accounts delve into complex themes including political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.

The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of copies. This raises a key query: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.

A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings

The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.

A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law

Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.

Challenging a Nation's Self-Image

A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the director's own methods?

The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, families rely on him to restore normalcy.

Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.

The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the uppermost echelons of government.

An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.

A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital

An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?

A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret

When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.

A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures remains partially contested.

A "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life might improve. I was sadly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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