While we consider the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form articles stands out. Such narratives explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting critiques on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our human race. But, a faction was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person really changed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical end – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of the events is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
