As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These narratives explore complex subjects including political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way out of incarceration was to join the government military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically changing the story of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging times, people depend on him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation could improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
