While we consider the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form articles emerges. Such narratives probe complex topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on power. While many of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. It poses a pressing query: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film following a repentant con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the events remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
