While we consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form stories shines. Such accounts delve into complex themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on power. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of copies. This prompts a key query: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment end – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a major player on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
