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As we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles emerges. These narratives delve into multifaceted themes including political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human stories.

A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It poses a key question: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the history of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.

The British Cult That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.

The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.

Shattering a Country's Myth

A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person really changed, and is the director's own methods?

The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals turn to him to restore order.

Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical end – until potentially now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the highest levels of the state.

An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.

The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub

An incredibly rich country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret

When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.

A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the events remains somewhat shrouded.

The "Genius" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?

A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.

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