While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces shines. These narratives explore intricate subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. Although many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of books. This raises a key question: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts 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 most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life could improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The best narratives
