While we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. Such narratives explore multifaceted themes including political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely changing the story of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise story of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
