While we reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form stories emerges. Such accounts explore multifaceted subjects from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. It prompts a key question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment end – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get wary.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy country has become a major player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could turn around. I was tragically wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful narratives
