A Top In-Depth Reads of the Year: A Compendium of Compelling Writing

As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such accounts explore multifaceted themes including political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.

A Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still cost him his life.

The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.

The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law

A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.

Challenging a Country's Myth

A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's true methods?

A Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging hours, people rely on him to bring back peace.

Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – until potentially now.

The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of government.

An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his sharp mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.

A Small State That Became the World's Mediation Hub

An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a significant player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?

An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle

Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.

During the Trial of a Tragic Story

What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.

A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of what happened remains partially contested.

The "Master" of the Attention Economy

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas

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

One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation might improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.

A International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

The most impactful narratives