While we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces shines. Such accounts explore multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a key query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of exploitation it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless background, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely rich country has transformed into a key actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the key to who wins the global AI race.
The most impactful journalism
