Upon look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form articles emerges. These pieces delve into complex subjects including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole way to escape incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of the events remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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