Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts explore intricate subjects including political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. Although several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This raises a key query: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of prison was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the story of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording poses difficult queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the events is still somewhat unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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