While we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These narratives delve into intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on power. Although several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could now get him killed.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, families depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable medical solution – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he could possess the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The best narratives
