As we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form stories emerges. These accounts delve into intricate themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This poses a key question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a key force on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation might change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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