Upon consider the past year, a assortment of outstanding long-form stories stands out. Such accounts probe complex subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of abuse it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective medical solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings influence the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.
The Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a key player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
