As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form articles emerges. Such pieces explore intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It raises a key question: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable medical end – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could improve. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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