While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories emerges. Such narratives delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It prompts a key question: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective treatment end – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might improve. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The best narratives
