While we consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. These narratives explore complex themes from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on power. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household 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.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is she really reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an effective treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation could improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest stories
