While we look back on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length articles stands out. Such narratives probe intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the history of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she really a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective medical solution – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the exact story of what happened remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation might change for the better. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International AI Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best narratives
