Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. These accounts probe intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and is the director's true methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of government.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life might improve. I was tragically mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest stories
