As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These accounts probe intricate topics ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with biting satires on power. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's own methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective medical solution – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the very highest levels of government.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this ambitious role?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From 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 Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and showered huge sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his situation could improve. I was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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