Upon consider the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such narratives probe multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only path out of prison was to join the government forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable medical end – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this ambitious role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact story of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away enormous amounts of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life might change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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