As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form articles stands out. These accounts delve into complex themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Although several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting bitter argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses difficult queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the director's own intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich country has risen as a significant force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
