As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces shines. Such narratives delve into multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of abuse it had carried out.
The Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is she really reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a key player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the events remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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