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As we consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. These accounts delve into intricate topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.

A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict

The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.

A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.

A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling extent of mistreatment it had committed.

A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

A great many followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.

Breaking a Country's Myth

A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she really reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?

The Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains

From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to bring back order.

Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of government.

The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret

With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.

A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center

An incredibly rich country has become a significant player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?

An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?

The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of what happened remains somewhat unclear.

The "Genius" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?

Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?

One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his life could turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.

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