Upon look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These pieces probe complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment solution – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
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 killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest stories
