The Best Feature Articles of the Year: An Selection of Thought-Provoking Narratives

While we consider the past year, a curated list of remarkable in-depth articles shines. These accounts probe intricate subjects including geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.

The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. This poses a key query: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might now get him killed.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.

The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight

One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights

A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.

Breaking a Country's Myth

A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the director's true methods?

A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest times, families depend on him to bring back peace.

Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Condition

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable medical remedy – up until possibly now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government

A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of the state.

The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.

The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital

An astonishingly rich country has become a key actor on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?

An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?

The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.

The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.

The "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?

One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. I was sadly misplaced.

The International AI Competition and a Key Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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