Upon look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form stories emerges. Such accounts explore complex topics from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the director's own intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the full nature of what happened is still somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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