Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding long-form articles stands out. These narratives delve into multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a key question: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of prison was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. But, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a key force on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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