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As we consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These narratives explore intricate topics including political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.

A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp satires on power. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.

A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.

A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.

A Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law

Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?

The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.

Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical solution – up until perhaps now.

The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of government.

The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his keen intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to become wary.

A Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center

An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a major player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?

A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry

Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?

An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.

A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of the events is still somewhat unclear.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the prospect that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness

As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life could improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could possess the key to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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