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While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces shines. These pieces explore intricate themes ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.

A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. This prompts a key query: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of prison was to join the government forces. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could now get him killed.

A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law

Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.

Challenging a Country's Myth

A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person really changed, and is the director's own methods?

A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to bring back order.

Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Beset by debates over its collection, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective medical end – until possibly now.

The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of government.

An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret

With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.

The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented project?

A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

An End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.

The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of what happened remains partially unclear.

A "Mozart" of the Online Economy

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?

A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution

When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation might change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.

A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.

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