As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such narratives explore complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on power. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the history of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the very highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a key player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could change for the better. I was tragically mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence 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 his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
