While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional long-form articles emerges. Such pieces explore multifaceted topics ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with biting satires on power. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The resulting bitter argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's true motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment end – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of what happened is still somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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