As we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form articles emerges. Such narratives probe multifaceted subjects from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human stories.
A Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of copies. It poses a key query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the story of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
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 betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of what happened is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away enormous sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life might turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The best stories
