While we consider the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These pieces probe intricate themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the nineties with sharp commentaries on power. While many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This poses a key query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still cost him his life.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she really changed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich country has become a significant player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
