As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These narratives probe multifaceted themes including political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on power. Although many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and is the director's true methods?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of the events remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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