As we look back on the past year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles emerges. These pieces probe intricate themes from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically rewriting the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life might improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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