Upon look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding feature-length articles emerges. Such accounts probe complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Although many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to sell millions of books. It prompts a key question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures is still somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the key to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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