As we look back on the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. These pieces probe complex topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only route out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, families turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable medical solution – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become suspicious.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not 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 a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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