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As we consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding in-depth stories shines. These accounts explore intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict

The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins

The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.

A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.

Breaking a Country's Self-Image

A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?

The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.

Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – until potentially now.

A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government

A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings influence the very highest levels of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret

With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become suspicious.

The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center

An incredibly wealthy country has become a significant force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious project?

An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle

Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?

The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.

The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the events remains partially unclear.

The "Mozart" of the Attention Age

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

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

One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution

When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.

A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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