While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional long-form articles shines. Such pieces probe complex topics from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he still sell millions of copies. This poses a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the events remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could improve. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
