Upon consider the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories stands out. Such narratives probe intricate subjects ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. It raises a pertinent query: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of prison was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many voters expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals rely on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely rich country has become a significant force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best journalism
