Upon look back on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. Such accounts delve into intricate topics including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on power. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting bitter argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated 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 uncover the shocking extent of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she truly changed, and is the director's true motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a major player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life could turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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