As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. Such narratives explore complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a key query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, families depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a major force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation might improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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