While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. These narratives delve into complex themes ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the story of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent bitter controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing scale of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical end – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the events remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his life could improve. I was tragically misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
