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As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form stories emerges. Such accounts probe intricate themes including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This prompts a pertinent question: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?

Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Leader's Curious Record on International Law

A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?

A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.

Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment remedy – until perhaps now.

The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest levels of government.

The English Professional With a Crooked Side

With his sharp intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become suspicious.

A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented role?

A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry

Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.

A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of what happened is still somewhat unclear.

The "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?

A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution

As I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.

The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move

In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.

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