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As we look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories shines. These accounts delve into intricate topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.

The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country

Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with scathing satires on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict

The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open

One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.

The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights

Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.

Breaking a Country's Self-Image

A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she really changed, and is the director's own intentions?

A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, families depend on him to restore order.

Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

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 effective medical solution – up until potentially now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest echelons of the state.

The British Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get wary.

A Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital

An incredibly rich country has risen as a key player on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented role?

An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

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

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

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.

A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy

He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution

When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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