Upon look back on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form articles shines. Such accounts probe complex themes from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It poses a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical end – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a major force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation could turn around. I was sadly wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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