While we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories emerges. Such narratives explore multifaceted subjects including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with scathing critiques on power. Although many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly changed, and is the director's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, families rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a significant force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation could improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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