While we look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length articles stands out. These accounts explore intricate themes including political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the story of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is this person truly a new person, and is the director's own methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical end – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the full story of the events is still somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life might turn around. I was sadly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best narratives
