Upon reflect on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional long-form articles emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This prompts a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
Many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation could improve. I was tragically wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
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