Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form stories emerges. Such accounts probe complex topics including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. While several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing query: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical solution – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology influence the very highest levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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