🔗 Share this article

Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. Such accounts probe multifaceted subjects including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation

An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.

The Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins

The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The resulting intense argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The British Cult That Operated in the Open

One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

A Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights

Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.

Challenging a Country's Identity

A film following a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she really reformed, and what are the director's true intentions?

A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes

From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to restore order.

Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until possibly now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.

An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side

With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become uneasy.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub

An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?

An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the precise nature of what happened remains partially shrouded.

The "Master" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution

When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. That hope was sadly wrong.

A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.

The most impactful journalism