Upon look back on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles shines. Such pieces explore complex themes ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical remedy – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a key force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the full story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International AI 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. Now, he might hold the answers to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
