As we consider the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories emerges. Such pieces probe complex subjects ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. It prompts a key question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the highest levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the full truth of the events is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation might improve. I was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the secret to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
