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Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth pieces stands out. Such pieces explore multifaceted themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.

The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country

A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.

A Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings

The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Cult That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had carried out.

The Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights

Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been notably mixed.

Shattering a Country's Identity

A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's true motives?

A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals depend on him to restore peace.

Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?

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

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.

A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest levels of government.

The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret

With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.

A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub

An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

An Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry

Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?

The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.

A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of the procedures is still somewhat contested.

The "Mozart" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?

One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness

When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.

A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he could possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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