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While we look back on the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form articles stands out. These pieces probe complex topics including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.

The Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins

The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.

The British Sect That Operated in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.

A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law

Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.

Challenging a Nation's Identity

A film following a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?

A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains

From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to bring back normalcy.

Can an Famous Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – until possibly now.

The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of the state.

The English Professional With a Dishonest Side

With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.

The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented role?

An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?

The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.

A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.

A "Master" of the Online Economy

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution

When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his life could improve. I was sadly wrong.

A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.

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