While we reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These pieces delve into complex themes ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing heated argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she really a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a key player on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the precise story of what happened is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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