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As we consider the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces shines. Such narratives probe multifaceted themes ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human stories.

A Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country

A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict

The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.

A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Origins

The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing heated controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.

A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law

A great many voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's true methods?

The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains

From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to bring back peace.

Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical solution – up until potentially now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of the state.

An English Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get suspicious.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub

An astonishingly wealthy country has become a major player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?

A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Case

What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of the procedures is still partially unclear.

A "Master" of the Online Age

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution

When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life might improve. I was tragically wrong.

A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move

In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.

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