As we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form articles emerges. Such pieces explore multifaceted subjects ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly changed, and is the director's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich country has become a significant actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The best narratives
