As we consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form articles emerges. These accounts probe complex topics including political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of books. This raises a pressing question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely changing the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of government.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Small State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
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 infant?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the exact truth of the procedures is still partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
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