The most compelling journalism often requires space to breathe. Over the past year, writers and reporters have dedicated that space to a diverse range of subjects, from forgotten histories to urgent contemporary crises. Here is a curated look at twenty standout pieces of in-depth reporting and narrative essays that captured the complexities of our time.
Profiles in Paradox
A celebrated Russian novelist, once famed for his sharp critiques of power, now enjoys bestseller status at home while his contemporaries face exile. This raises profound questions about art, compromise, and survival in an authoritarian climate.
The Unforgiven Soldier
The story of a man who, as a teenager, was given a grim choice in a Syrian prison: join the state’s military or remain incarcerated. Over a decade later, his past as a former regime fighter is a secret that could cost him his life.
Bones of Contention
A fossil discovery in an African desert two decades ago promised to redraw the map of human evolution. Instead, it ignited an academic feud so intense it has defined—and derailed—careers ever since.
Breaking the Fellowship
Having grown up within a strict religious community, a woman later played a pivotal role in uncovering the systemic abuse that operated beneath its surface for years.
The Pragmatists in Power
A new government arrived with promises to reinvigorate its nation’s stance on global legal norms. Its first year in office, however, has revealed a more complicated and inconsistent approach to foreign policy.
The Sting of the Black Swan
A documentary follows a former criminal who now orchestrates elaborate stings to expose corrupt figures. Yet questions linger about her true motives and whether the filmmaker himself is entirely trustworthy.
The Cleaner
From the aftermath of violence to industrial accidents, one professional is called upon when situations are at their most chaotic and grim. His work is to erase the traces of disaster and restore a semblance of normalcy.
A Museum in Crisis
Plagued by financial woes, allegations rooted in its colonial past, and an internal scandal involving theft, a premier cultural institution faces a monumental struggle to salvage its global reputation.
Beyond Morning Sickness
For centuries, a severe form of pregnancy-related illness was dismissed or poorly understood. Now, a medical breakthrough offers hope to end what has long been a debilitating condition for many.
An Ideology Reborn
The radical, exclusionary philosophy of a once-marginal political figure, assassinated decades ago, has found startling new influence, shaping policies and rhetoric at the highest levels of a modern state.
The Trusted Advisor
With a sterling reputation and elite background, a financial manager attracted a wealthy clientele. Their faith persisted until unsettling patterns began to emerge, prompting a reckoning.
The Small State with Big Ambitions
A tiny, affluent nation has positioned itself as an unexpected but potent mediator in some of the world’s most prolonged and difficult conflicts, driving a diplomatic project that defies its size.
The Statesman’s Stage
A European leader, facing low domestic approval, finds his natural arena on the international circuit. As he prepares for a high-stakes meeting with a volatile American counterpart, he projects an image of indispensable statesmanship.
A Tragedy at the Old Bailey
How did a woman from an aristocratic background and her partner find themselves in a criminal court, accused of a crime involving their newborn infant? The case unpacks a story of privilege, pressure, and profound loss.
Aid and Abandonment
The dramatic restructuring of a major international aid agency by a U.S. administration sent shockwaves through global institutions. For some communities long dependent on such support, however, the move felt like a familiar pattern of betrayal.
The Secret Study
The recent unveiling of details from a decades-old scientific experiment triggered public alarm and ethical debates. The full story of what transpired, and its consequences, remains shrouded in mystery.
The YouTube Phenomenon
A creator known for extreme stunts and lavish giveaways commands an audience of millions. Is his content merely expertly engineered viral entertainment, or does it represent a new, unconventional form of artistic expression?
Rising Tides, Retreating Shores
Confronted with the imminent threat of sea-level rise, an entire nation must contemplate a daunting future. The central question is no longer about prevention, but about the monumental logistics of relocation and resettlement.
The Runaway
An essay reflects on a childhood friend who always seemed to be escaping from an unseen past. The author would not learn the truth behind that flight until many years had passed.
The AI Defector
A leading scientist, after decades working abroad, made a decisive return to his country of birth. His expertise now places him at the heart of the intensifying global competition for supremacy in artificial intelligence.
These narratives, each a deep dive into its subject, remind us that behind the headlines are layered human experiences, unresolved debates, and stories that demand more than a fleeting glance. They represent the enduring power of longform journalism to illuminate, challenge, and explain.