As we consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length articles shines. Such narratives explore multifaceted subjects including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the history of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, people rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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