As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form articles emerges. Such pieces probe complex themes including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This poses a pressing question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The resulting intense argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks complex queries: Is this person truly a new person, and is the director's true methods?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable medical end – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of the events is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life might change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
