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While we consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding feature-length articles emerges. Such pieces delve into complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.

A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country

An author became known in the 1990s with biting satires on authoritarianism. Although several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could still get him killed.

The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling extent of exploitation it had committed.

The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law

A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?

The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, individuals depend on him to restore normalcy.

Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the highest levels of government.

The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to become suspicious.

The Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

An End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.

The "Master" of the Attention Economy

He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?

One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could improve. That hope was tragically wrong.

A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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