While we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts explore multifaceted subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human stories.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting critiques on power. While many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. This poses a pressing question: Has he become an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of prison was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may now cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as completely re-writing the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's own motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich country has become a major force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might turn around. I was sadly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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