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Upon look back on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. These accounts probe multifaceted themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a key query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.

The Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins

The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated controversy has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.

The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.

Challenging a Country's Identity

A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?

A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to restore peace.

Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.

The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government

A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of government.

The British Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get uneasy.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a major actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?

An Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret

When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the full story of the events is still partially contested.

A "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?

One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation might change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.

The Global AI Race and a Key Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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