While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. These pieces probe complex themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on power. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging moments, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become wary.
The Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
