As we consider the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories emerges. Such narratives delve into multifaceted topics including political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of books. It poses a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape prison was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The resulting intense argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, families turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation might improve. I was tragically mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
