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While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form stories emerges. These narratives explore intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.

A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of books. It raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.

A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight

One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.

A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights

A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.

Challenging a Country's Myth

A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true methods?

A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest times, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.

Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering 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 end – until possibly now.

A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of government.

The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.

A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital

An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?

The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.

The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of the events remains somewhat contested.

The "Genius" of the Online Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas

With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?

One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness

When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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