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As we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth pieces shines. Such narratives explore intricate topics from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.

The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with biting satires on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a key question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of prison was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still get him killed.

A Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings

The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had carried out.

The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law

A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.

Shattering a Country's Myth

A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's true motives?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to restore order.

Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – up until perhaps now.

A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the highest levels of the state.

The British Professional With a Crooked Side

With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.

A Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital

An extremely wealthy country has risen as a key force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?

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

Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.

A "Genius" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?

A Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution

When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

The most impactful narratives