As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These pieces delve into intricate topics from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human sagas.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It poses a key question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could improve. I was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
