While we consider the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional long-form articles shines. Such narratives delve into complex subjects including political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While many of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This prompts a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole way out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she truly a new person, and what are the director's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment solution – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the exact story of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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