While we consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form articles shines. These accounts explore complex topics from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on power. While numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. It prompts a key query: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a major player on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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