As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable long-form articles shines. Such pieces explore intricate topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our human race. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical end – until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of the events remains partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
