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As we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles emerges. Such accounts probe multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.

The Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Country

A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.

A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.

The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of abuse it had carried out.

A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law

Numerous supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.

Shattering a Nation's Self-Image

A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true motives?

The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore peace.

Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – until possibly now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government

A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest echelons of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret

With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.

The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented project?

A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret

When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.

A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers

When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of what happened remains partially contested.

The "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution

When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might change for the better. I was sadly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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