While we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles emerges. Such accounts explore intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. This poses a key query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically rewriting the story of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get wary.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has become a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise story of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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