🔗 Share this article

Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories shines. These pieces explore intricate themes including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.

A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation

An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. While several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still get him killed.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.

The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law

Many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.

Challenging a Nation's Identity

A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true motives?

The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, individuals turn to him to bring back normalcy.

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

Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of the state.

An British Professional With a Dishonest Side

With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.

A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub

An astonishingly rich country has risen as a significant force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?

An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.

The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the events remains partially unclear.

The "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?

Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution

When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation might improve. I was devastatingly wrong.

A International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection

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. Now, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.

The best stories