While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. These narratives probe multifaceted subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting satires on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of books. It poses a key question: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the story of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she really a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The finest stories
