As we consider the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These accounts probe multifaceted subjects including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This poses a key query: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path out of prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an effective medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation could change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
