While we look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. While many of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective medical solution – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the events remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his life could improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best journalism
