As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form stories emerges. These pieces probe multifaceted topics from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on power. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely rich country has become a significant player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the events remains partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their home may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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