As we reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form articles emerges. Such narratives explore multifaceted themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape prison was to join the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the history of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle 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 unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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