While we consider the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. These pieces probe complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person really changed, and is the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy country has become a key actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. 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 thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life might turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
