As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. These accounts delve into multifaceted topics from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way out of incarceration was to join the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could now get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing intense argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full nature of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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