While we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form articles shines. Such narratives probe complex subjects ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Although many of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an effective medical end – up until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become wary.
The Small State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might improve. I was sadly mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
