As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces shines. These narratives delve into multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on power. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person really changed, and is the director's own motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a key player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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