Upon consider the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. These pieces probe complex subjects from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While several of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. This poses a pressing question: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense controversy has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, people rely on him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the very highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact story of what happened remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his life could turn around. I was tragically wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
