While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length articles stands out. Such accounts explore intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human stories.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. While several of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. This prompts a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting heated controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment solution – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
The finest narratives
