While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form stories stands out. These pieces probe intricate themes ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way out of prison was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has risen as a significant player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the full story of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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