As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding long-form articles emerges. These pieces explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing question: Has he become an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the history of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a significant player on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, 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 a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of what happened remains partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life might change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the key to who wins the global AI race.
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