A Top Long-Form Reads of the Year: An Selection of Profound Journalism

Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. These narratives delve into intricate subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.

A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a key question: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the government military. After fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could now get him killed.

A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.

The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.

A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights

Numerous voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.

Breaking a Country's Myth

A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex queries: Is she truly changed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?

A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to bring back order.

Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.

The English Gentleman With a Crooked Side

With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get wary.

A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital

An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?

A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle

Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

During the Trial of a Tragic Case

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.

A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures is still somewhat contested.

The "Mozart" of the Attention Age

He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?

A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness

As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.

The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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