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As we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding long-form stories emerges. Such accounts delve into intricate subjects including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.

The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now cost him his life.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely changing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The resulting heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Cult That Operated in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights

A great many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.

Shattering a Country's Self-Image

A film featuring a repentant con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person really changed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?

A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, families rely on him to restore peace.

Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.

The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of government.

The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side

With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.

The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital

An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?

An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?

The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women

When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the procedures remains partially contested.

The "Master" of the Online Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?

One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness

When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the secret to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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