Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form articles shines. These pieces explore multifaceted topics from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on power. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, individuals depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich country has become a major force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life might improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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