Upon look back on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. These pieces explore intricate topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on power. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is this person truly a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical end – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of the events is still partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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