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As we consider the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. Such accounts delve into intricate themes ranging from political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.

The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with scathing critiques on power. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War

The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.

The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins

The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the narrative of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.

A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.

Challenging a Nation's Identity

A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, families depend on him to bring back peace.

Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical end – until potentially now.

A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics

A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of the state.

An British Professional With a Crooked Side

With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get wary.

A Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?

A Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.

During the Trial of a Tragic Case

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.

A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of what happened remains partially contested.

The "Master" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?

One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move

In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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