While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form articles emerges. Such pieces explore intricate themes ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp critiques on power. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This poses a key query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the director's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, people depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
