While we reflect on the past year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such pieces explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording asks complex questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, families rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich country has become a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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