As we look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories stands out. These narratives explore complex subjects including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, families rely on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a major force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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