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Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such accounts explore complex topics ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.

The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on power. While many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This raises a key query: Has he become an apologist for the regime?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.

A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the history of our human race. However, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights

Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.

Breaking a Country's Myth

A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?

A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to restore normalcy.

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

Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment solution – until possibly now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics

A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest levels of the state.

An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.

The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?

A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

An End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.

The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.

A "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?

A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might change for the better. I was sadly misplaced.

A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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