As we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories stands out. Such pieces explore multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The ensuing intense argument has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of what happened is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
