While we reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form stories shines. Such pieces delve into complex topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a key query: Has he become an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of prison was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling extent of exploitation it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is she truly changed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an effective medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich country has risen as a key force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful narratives
