As we look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional long-form articles stands out. Such accounts delve into complex topics including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move millions of copies. This prompts a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely changing the story of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, families depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full story of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life could improve. I was tragically mistaken.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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