Upon consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. These accounts explore intricate subjects from political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. While several of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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