Upon look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These accounts explore multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a key question: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling extent of exploitation it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this ambitious role?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the events remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
