As we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces emerges. Such narratives explore complex themes ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling extent of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich country has become a key actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his situation might improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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