As we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. These narratives delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the history of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. 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 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a key force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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