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As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form articles emerges. Such accounts explore multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.

A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Nation

An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of books. This raises a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might now cost him his life.

The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Cult That Operated in the Open

One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.

The Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law

Many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.

Shattering a Country's Identity

A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's own methods?

A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.

Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest levels of government.

The English Professional With a Crooked Side

With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get uneasy.

A Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital

An extremely wealthy country has become a major player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this ambitious project?

A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry

Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially unclear.

The "Genius" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?

A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation might change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.

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