While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. These accounts probe intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. While many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It raises a pressing question: Has he become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film following a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable medical end – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of government.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a major player on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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