Upon look back on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form articles shines. Such pieces explore complex themes from political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with scathing satires on power. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. This raises a pressing question: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she truly changed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest times, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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