As we consider the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These accounts probe intricate topics from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. While several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only way to escape prison was to join the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to who wins the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
