A Top Long-Form Articles of the Year: An Collection of Compelling Narratives

While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.

The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. Although numerous of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now get him killed.

The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Sect That Operated in the Open

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

A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.

Breaking a Country's Myth

A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is she really reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?

The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains

From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.

Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – up until perhaps now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the highest echelons of the state.

The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret

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

A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub

An incredibly rich country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry

Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.

A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women

When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of what happened remains partially shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Age

He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?

One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.

The International AI Race and a Key Move

In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to who wins the global AI race.

The finest narratives