Upon consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such accounts probe complex subjects ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. While numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film following a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might change for the better. I was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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