🔗 Share this article

Upon consider the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form stories emerges. Such narratives probe intricate themes ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.

A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Country

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on power. While numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It raises a key query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Cult That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights

Many voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.

Breaking a Country's Self-Image

A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the director's true methods?

A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains

From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to restore order.

Can an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – until potentially now.

The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.

The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.

A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital

An extremely rich Gulf state has become a major force on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case

How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?

The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret

When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the procedures remains partially contested.

The "Mozart" of the Online Economy

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?

One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.

A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move

In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the global AI race.

The finest narratives