While we look back on the past year, a curated list of exceptional long-form stories emerges. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a key query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting bitter controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks complex questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become uneasy.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International AI Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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