While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories shines. Such pieces explore multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on power. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment solution – until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of what happened remains partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was tragically mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
