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As we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. These pieces delve into multifaceted topics including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.

A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country

An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict

The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still cost him his life.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.

A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights

Many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.

Challenging a Country's Myth

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

The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains

From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to restore peace.

Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until possibly now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of government.

An British Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.

A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?

A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle

Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.

A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.

A "Mozart" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might turn around. I was sadly mistaken.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.

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