Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. These pieces probe complex subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. This raises a key question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape prison was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. But, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become wary.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation could improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
The best journalism
