Upon consider the past year, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. These pieces delve into complex topics from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might now get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting bitter argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
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 companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise story of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life could improve. I was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
