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Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces shines. These accounts probe intricate topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

An author became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on power. Although several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has he turned into an defender for the establishment?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.

The British Cult That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.

Shattering a Nation's Self-Image

A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?

A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until possibly now.

The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics

A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the uppermost levels of government.

An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret

With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.

A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub

An incredibly wealthy country has become a major player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?

An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?

An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the full nature of what happened remains partially contested.

A "Master" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas

With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution

When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move

In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.

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