While we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length articles shines. Such pieces probe complex themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the nineties with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is she truly changed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, families rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich country has risen as a significant player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of what happened remains 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 selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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