As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. Such pieces delve into multifaceted themes from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording poses difficult queries: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical end – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened remains partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation could turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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