As we consider the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces shines. Such narratives delve into complex themes from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she truly changed, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get wary.
The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a major player on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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