As we look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form articles shines. These accounts delve into multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become suspicious.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a key player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life could turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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