As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These narratives delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. This raises a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's own methods?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, families turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical solution – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings influence the highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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