As we consider the previous year, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These accounts probe complex themes from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with sharp satires on power. While several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move millions of copies. This prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become wary.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined 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 companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life could improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
The best stories
