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Upon look back on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. These pieces probe intricate topics ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country

A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with biting satires on power. Although many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of books. This prompts a key query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.

The Leader's Curious Record on International Law

A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.

Breaking a Country's Myth

A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's own methods?

A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes

From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, families turn to him to restore normalcy.

Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – until possibly now.

The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the uppermost levels of government.

An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret

With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.

A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?

A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry

Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?

An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: 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 ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.

The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures is still partially unclear.

A "Genius" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?

Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life might improve. That hope was sadly wrong.

A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the secret to who wins the global AI race.

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