Upon consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such narratives probe multifaceted subjects including political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.
The Small State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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