As we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories emerges. Such accounts delve into complex themes including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. While many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing heated argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's true motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings influence the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the procedures is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might improve. I was tragically wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the key to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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