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Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These accounts probe complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.

The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of prison was to join the government forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.

The Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting bitter argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.

A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law

Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.

Breaking a Nation's Self-Image

A film following a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she truly changed, and is the director's own motives?

The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.

Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.

The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest levels of the state.

The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side

With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.

The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?

An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.

A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures remains partially shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?

Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?

One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. I was sadly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.

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