While we consider the past year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts explore intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's true methods?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the events is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might turn around. I was tragically mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The best stories
