Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. These accounts probe complex subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. It raises a key query: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing scale of exploitation it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an effective medical end – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a major force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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