While we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional long-form stories stands out. These accounts probe complex themes from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a key question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government military. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this ambitious project?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
