Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories shines. These accounts probe complex themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film following a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a significant actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful narratives
