While we look back on the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length articles stands out. Such accounts probe intricate themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's own methods?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, families depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a significant actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The best narratives
