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As we look back on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form stories shines. These narratives probe multifaceted topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country

Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. While many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.

The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights

Numerous supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.

Shattering a Nation's Myth

A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?

The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective treatment end – up until possibly now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of government.

The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented project?

An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.

The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the procedures is still partially contested.

The "Master" of the Online Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas

With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?

A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. I was sadly wrong.

The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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