Upon consider the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. Such narratives probe complex subjects including political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the history of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is she truly changed, and what are the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, people turn to him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective medical remedy – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich country has transformed into a major player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life might turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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