🔗 Share this article

As we consider the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. These accounts explore multifaceted topics from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country

An author gained prominence in the nineties with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of copies. This raises a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law

A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.

Shattering a Nation's Myth

A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?

A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, families rely on him to restore normalcy.

Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical end – until perhaps now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of government.

The British Professional With a Crooked Side

With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become suspicious.

The Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital

An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?

A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle

Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story

How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret

When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.

The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the events is still somewhat unclear.

The "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?

Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness

As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his life might turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

The finest stories