🔗 Share this article

Upon reflect on the past year, a assortment of outstanding long-form articles shines. Such narratives delve into intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation

Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.

A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The resulting heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight

One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law

Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.

Shattering a Country's Self-Image

A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the director's own motives?

A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes

From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

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

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – until possibly now.

The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of government.

An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret

With his keen intellect and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become wary.

A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub

An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?

An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

During the Trial of a Tragic Story

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.

A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women

When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Age

He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution

As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his situation might improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.

The International AI Competition and a Key Move

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could possess the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

The most impactful narratives