As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. Such accounts explore multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with sharp satires on power. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. It raises a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still get him killed.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent intense argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a major force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this ambitious role?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of what happened remains partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation might improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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