As we consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form articles emerges. These narratives delve into intricate themes from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the events is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away enormous sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might turn around. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
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