Upon reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional long-form pieces stands out. Such accounts probe intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could still get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the history of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment solution – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get wary.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a significant player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
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 killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation might change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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