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While we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts probe complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.

A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation

An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pressing query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War

The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically re-writing the story of our species. But, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.

The UK Cult That Hid in the Open

One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights

Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.

Shattering a Nation's Self-Image

A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is she really reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?

A Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, people turn to him to bring back peace.

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

Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – until potentially now.

The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.

The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret

With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?

A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.

The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Age

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?

Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?

One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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