While we consider the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts probe intricate subjects including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pertinent query: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable medical solution – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best narratives
