As we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. These accounts probe complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could now get him killed.
The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting bitter argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, people depend on him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical solution – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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