As we reflect on the past year, a selection of exceptional feature-length articles emerges. These narratives explore complex themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now get him killed.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film following a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, families depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
