As we consider the previous year, a assortment of exceptional long-form articles shines. Such pieces delve into intricate subjects ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human stories.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape prison was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the history of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's own motives?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life might turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
