Upon look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length articles shines. These accounts probe complex topics including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It prompts a key question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way out of prison was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical end – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become wary.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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