As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles stands out. These pieces delve into multifaceted subjects from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It poses a key question: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
