Upon consider the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. Such pieces explore complex topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. While many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the director's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of government.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life could turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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