As we consider the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. Such pieces explore complex themes from political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent bitter controversy has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
A 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 disturbing extent of mistreatment it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical remedy – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the events is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
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