As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form articles emerges. These accounts explore multifaceted topics ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of books. This raises a key query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of exploitation it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of government.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key player on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the events is still somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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