Upon look back on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length articles stands out. These narratives explore complex topics from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on power. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. It poses a pertinent query: Has he turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as completely changing the history of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is she truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a major force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case 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 killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the full nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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