While we consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces shines. These narratives probe intricate topics ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell millions of books. It poses a pertinent question: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only path to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging times, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the very highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a significant actor on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of the events remains partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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