Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces stands out. These pieces explore intricate subjects from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of books. This prompts a pertinent question: Has the author become an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical end – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get wary.
A Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the events remains partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life might improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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