Upon reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. Such pieces probe intricate themes including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has he turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still get him killed.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging times, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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