Upon look back on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable long-form articles stands out. These pieces explore complex subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest times, individuals turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country 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 behind this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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