While we consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such pieces explore complex topics ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still move millions of books. This raises a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective medical solution – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has become a key force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the events is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
