While we consider the year gone by, a selection of exceptional feature-length articles emerges. Such accounts delve into complex subjects including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become wary.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a major player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the events remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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