As we consider the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. Such accounts probe intricate topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This raises a key query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may still get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life might improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
