As we look back on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. These narratives probe complex topics including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp satires on authoritarianism. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only path out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now get him killed.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical remedy – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the full story of the procedures is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his situation could improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The best narratives
