Upon consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such pieces delve into complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of copies. It poses a key query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path to escape prison was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the history of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the highest levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
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 partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of the events remains partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to who wins the global AI race.
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