While we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form articles stands out. These pieces delve into complex themes including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation might improve. I was tragically mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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