As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form articles stands out. These accounts explore intricate topics from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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