As we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles stands out. Such accounts delve into complex themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might now get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as completely re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking extent of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life could turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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