Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form articles shines. These narratives delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise story of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life might change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
