While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories shines. Such pieces probe multifaceted themes from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might improve. I was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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