While we consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form articles shines. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. Although several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a key query: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The resulting intense controversy has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging times, families depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a major player on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of the events remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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