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As we consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form articles emerges. These narratives delve into intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.

A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he become an supporter for the regime?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still get him killed.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the story of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.

A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law

Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.

Challenging a Nation's Identity

A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is this person truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?

A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to bring back order.

Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.

A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government

A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.

An British Professional With a Dishonest Side

With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get suspicious.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center

An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?

A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?

The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness

As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might improve. That hope was tragically wrong.

A International AI Race and a Key Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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