While we look back on the past year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts probe complex themes including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. While many of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. This raises a pertinent query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a key force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
The best narratives
