Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional long-form articles emerges. These pieces delve into complex themes ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on power. Although many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically re-writing the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get suspicious.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a major force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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