Upon consider the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories stands out. Such accounts probe multifaceted topics including political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting satires on power. While several of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. This poses a pressing query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical solution – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the very highest levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut 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 disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
