As we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories stands out. Such narratives delve into intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a key question: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting heated argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the very highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious role?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their islands may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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