While we consider the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form stories stands out. Such pieces explore multifaceted themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human sagas.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, families rely on him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of government.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of the events remains partially shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
