While we look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length articles emerges. These narratives explore intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. It raises a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had committed.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get wary.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life might turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
