Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts delve into complex themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This raises a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape prison was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the history of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has become a significant force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious role?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the full nature of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation might improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
