Upon reflect on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form stories emerges. These narratives probe multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This poses 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 eighteen was told that his only way out of incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the history of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she really a new person, and is the director's true motives?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a key force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the events remains partially contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
