The Finest Long-Form Reads of the Year: A Collection of Compelling Writing

Upon look back on the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding feature-length pieces shines. These accounts probe multifaceted topics including political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.

The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Country

A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with biting critiques on power. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still move millions of copies. This poses a key question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.

The British Sect That Operated in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Leader's Curious Stance on International Law

Many voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.

Challenging a Country's Identity

A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to bring back order.

Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of government.

The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become suspicious.

A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital

An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?

A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle

Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?

An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.

A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.

A "Genius" of the Online Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness

As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.

The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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