Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These accounts delve into intricate themes including political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting satires on power. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as completely re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment solution – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the events remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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