As we look back on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories emerges. These narratives explore intricate topics from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the history of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective treatment end – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich country has risen as a major force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life could turn around. I was tragically wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
