While we consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. These narratives explore complex themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a key question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a major force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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