As we look back on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories emerges. These accounts delve into multifaceted topics ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. This poses a key query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.
The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting bitter controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's own motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment end – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a major player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the events remains partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation could improve. I was tragically misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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