As we reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted topics from political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
