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Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces shines. Such accounts explore complex topics ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.

The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of books. It poses a pressing query: Has he become an defender for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole way to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.

A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open

One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had committed.

The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights

A great many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.

Shattering a Nation's Myth

A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's own motives?

The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains

From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, people rely on him to restore normalcy.

Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical solution – up until possibly now.

A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest echelons of government.

An English Professional With a Dishonest Side

With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.

The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key player on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this ambitious role?

An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle

Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?

An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret

When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.

A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women

When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of what happened is still somewhat unclear.

A "Master" of the Attention Economy

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness

When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.

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