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While we look back on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such narratives explore multifaceted themes ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.

A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

An author became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. This raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.

The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.

The British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.

The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law

A great many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.

Shattering a Country's Self-Image

A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment end – up until perhaps now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the highest levels of government.

An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get wary.

The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub

An extremely wealthy country has become a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?

An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?

An End of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.

The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat unclear.

A "Master" of the Online Age

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?

One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness

As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

The most impactful narratives