As we consider the previous year, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These narratives probe intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on power. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
The Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's true methods?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, families depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a key player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could improve. I was sadly mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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