As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding feature-length articles shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted themes from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the history of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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