Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts delve into intricate topics including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Although many of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the history of our human race. But, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition 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 may possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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