While we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces shines. Such pieces probe multifaceted themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. Although several of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It raises a key query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film following a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get wary.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious role?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial 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 killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of the events remains somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life could turn around. I was devastatingly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
