Upon look back on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces shines. These accounts delve into complex themes ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with scathing satires on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she really changed, and is the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a major force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The finest narratives
