Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form articles stands out. These narratives delve into complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. While many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It prompts a key query: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Curious Record on International Law
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich country has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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