Upon consider the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form stories emerges. Such pieces delve into intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks complex questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a major force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
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