While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form articles shines. Such pieces probe complex themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically re-writing the story of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical end – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the full story of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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