As we consider the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such accounts explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While several of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex queries: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an effective medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
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 Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened remains partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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