🔗 Share this article The Best Feature Reads of the Year: A Collection of Compelling Journalism While we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles emerges. These narratives explore intricate topics from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories. A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author become an apologist for the establishment? Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still cost him his life. A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since. The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed. The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent. Challenging a Country's Identity A film following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the director's own methods? The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, families depend on him to restore peace. Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"? Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing? More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective medical end – up until potentially now. A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state. The British Professional With a Crooked Side With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy. The Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center An extremely rich country has become a significant force on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role? An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle. Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby? An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen. A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures remains somewhat unclear. The "Master" of the Online Economy He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance? Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate? A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might improve. That hope was sadly wrong. The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry. The most impactful journalism