While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These pieces probe intricate subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as completely changing the history of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense argument has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment solution – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich country has become a major actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the full nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
