As we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding long-form articles shines. These narratives probe intricate themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with scathing satires on power. Although many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has he become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of abuse it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, people depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From 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 Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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