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While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. Such pieces probe complex topics ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.

The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. While numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a key question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.

The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins

The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Cult That Hid in the Open

One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights

A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.

Challenging a Nation's Self-Image

A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?

A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, families rely on him to restore normalcy.

Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics

A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.

The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.

A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub

An extremely rich country has risen as a significant actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?

An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle

Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?

The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.

The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women

When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures is still partially shrouded.

A "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of artistic genius?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?

A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution

As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life might turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.

The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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