Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of outstanding long-form articles stands out. These narratives explore complex subjects from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.
A International AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
