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As we consider the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces shines. These narratives probe intricate themes from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.

The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country

An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might now get him killed.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings

The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had committed.

The Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights

Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.

Breaking a Country's Self-Image

A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?

A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains

From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals turn to him to restore peace.

Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – up until possibly now.

The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of government.

An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.

The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious role?

An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle

Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?

An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret

When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.

The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy

He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.

The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he could possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.

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