While we look back on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts probe intricate subjects from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still sell millions of books. This prompts a key query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way out of prison was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording poses complex questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest times, people rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the highest levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
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 latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
