Upon consider the past year, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These pieces explore multifaceted themes including political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a pressing question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the story of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film following a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is this person truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable medical solution – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life might turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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