As we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. Such accounts probe intricate themes ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on power. Although several of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This raises a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. But, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened 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 legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical end – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a major actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of what happened is still partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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