Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form stories stands out. Such narratives explore complex subjects from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. While several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. This raises a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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