Upon consider the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces shines. These narratives delve into multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on power. Although several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing query: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting intense argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film following a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical end – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become wary.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this ambitious role?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not 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.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of what happened remains partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
