As we consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the story of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting intense argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording poses complex queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, families depend on him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life could turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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