While we look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. Such pieces probe multifaceted subjects from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It raises a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could now cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a key actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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