Upon consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These pieces delve into intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It raises a key question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the history of our human race. But, a faction was convinced. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the director's own methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, families rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich country has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life might change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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