As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. These accounts delve into complex subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the history of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of the events remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation might improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
