As we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such narratives probe multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group 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 helped reveal the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, people rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical end – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a major force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life might change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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