Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding long-form articles stands out. Such narratives explore intricate themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
