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Upon reflect on the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These accounts delve into intricate topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.

The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on power. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still cost him his life.

A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing heated argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.

A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of exploitation it had carried out.

The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law

A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.

Challenging a Nation's Self-Image

A documentary following a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's own intentions?

The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals depend on him to restore peace.

Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment solution – until potentially now.

A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.

The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub

An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?

An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry

Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret

When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures remains partially unclear.

The "Master" of the Online Economy

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?

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 home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?

One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution

As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.

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