While we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable long-form articles shines. These accounts explore multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had carried out.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a significant force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this ambitious role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of what happened remains somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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