While we consider the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories emerges. Such pieces explore multifaceted subjects including political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. It poses a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a major player on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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