🔗 Share this article

As we consider the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces shines. These pieces delve into complex subjects including political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human journeys.

A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country

A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This poses a pressing question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still get him killed.

A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.

A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on International Law

Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.

Shattering a Country's Identity

A film following a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's true intentions?

The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.

Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.

The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of government.

An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become wary.

The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital

An incredibly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?

A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret

When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When information about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the full story of the procedures remains partially contested.

The "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?

Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?

A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move

In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.

The most impactful journalism