Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. Such accounts explore intricate subjects from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing satires on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a key query: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is this person truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the key to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
