Upon look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such pieces delve into complex topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. While several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing heated argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks complex queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people rely on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might improve. I was sadly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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