As we consider the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. Such accounts explore intricate themes ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. While many of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of books. This poses a key query: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated controversy has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film following a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the events is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could turn around. I was tragically wrong.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
