As we look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories emerges. These narratives explore intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on power. Although numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a significant force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and showered vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life might turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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