🔗 Share this article

As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth pieces shines. These pieces explore complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.

The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country

An author rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. Although several of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict

The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.

A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the story of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.

The British Sect That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.

The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

Numerous supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.

Breaking a Country's Self-Image

A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?

The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains

From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to bring back peace.

Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until potentially now.

A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.

An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get suspicious.

The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital

An astonishingly rich country has risen as a key actor on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?

An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle

Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

During the Trial of a Tragic Story

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning

When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers

When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of the events is still partially unclear.

The "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean

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

A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection

In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

The most impactful journalism