As we look back on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles shines. Such pieces explore intricate topics including political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still get him killed.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, people depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful journalism
