Upon consider the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. Such pieces delve into complex subjects from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the history of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex questions: Is she truly changed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, people rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical solution – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a significant player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of what happened is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
