While we consider the year gone by, a selection of exceptional feature-length articles stands out. Such narratives explore intricate themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a key question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape prison was to join the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is she really changed, and is the director's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective medical solution – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become wary.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation might change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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