While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These accounts delve into intricate themes from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a key question: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still get him killed.
The Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the history of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is she really changed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging times, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life might turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
