Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the history of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this ambitious role?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the full story of the events is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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