While we look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These narratives probe multifaceted subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on power. While several of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It poses a key question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording poses complex queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could improve. I was sadly misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
