As we consider the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. These pieces probe multifaceted themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
A Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author become an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she really reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
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 may possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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