It's been a hectic year and there's a lot of stuff out there. Looking back at 2012, here are 10 compelling RFE/RL stories you may have missed, but which we still think are worth more than a few minutes of your time.
1. A Tale Of Two Political Refugees: Ecuador May Revoke Asylum Of Belarusian Emigre
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may be the most famous person to be granted political asylum in Ecuador. But he isn't the only one.
(Click to read)
2. PHOTO GALLERY: A Conscript's Life: Inside The Belarusian Army
Every Belarusian man from age 18 to 27 is required to serve in the country’s military for a year or more. Young soldiers are subjected to hazing by their superiors, relieved only by the thought of later being able to treat new recruits the same way.
(Click to view)
3. Sarajevo, 20 Years Later: The Baby In The Picture, All Grown Up
He’s the subject of one of the most iconic images of this city’s deadly four-year siege. But the boy in the picture says he isn’t all that interested in the anniversary and that his few memories of the war are far from unhappy.
(Click to read)
4. AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Photographing The First Chechen War
In 1995, photographer Aleksei Sazonov traveled to Chechnya to document the outbreak of war in the separatist republic. Years later, Sazonov recalls braving sniper fire and making tough ethical decisions to capture the conflict.
(Click to view)
5. For U.S. Athlete And Georgian Birth Family, A Past And Present Revealed
U.S. Paralympic swimmer Elizabeth Stone has come a long way since being given up for adoption shortly after her birth in an impoverished Georgian village. News of her achievements made its way to the family that gave her up more than two decades ago and ended decades of fear and uncertainty.
(Click to read)
6. VIDEO: A Tough Job, And Little Trust, For Afghan Police
Many Afghans have doubts about their police officers’ capacity to take charge of security as NATO-led forces withdraw. RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan spoke to one police officer in Kabul about the challenges of the job.
(Click to watch)
7. The Deadly Consequences Of Cultural Insensitivity In Afghanistan
In the past year, there has been an alarming spike in the number of Afghan soldiers opening fire on and killing their Western counterparts. Aware that many of the attacks are due to simple misunderstandings, the Afghan government has taken steps to give its security forces a lesson in cultural awareness.
(Click to read)
8. PHOTO GALLERY: From Brezhnev To Putin -- 30 Years In Russia
Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev died on November 10, 1982. In the three decades since, Russia has experienced glasnost, perestroika, an attempted coup, hyperinflation, an oil-price boom, and what some fear is a return to Soviet-style rule.
(Click to view)
9. Malala's Schoolmate Says Taliban Bullet Has Only Strengthened Her Resolve
A classmate and friend of Malala Yousafzai who was shot alongside the Pakistani teen peace activist has returned to school with a strengthened resolve to receive an education.
(Click to read)
10. Pussy Riot: The Early Years
A rare look at the days before infamy and imprisonment.
(Click to view)
1. A Tale Of Two Political Refugees: Ecuador May Revoke Asylum Of Belarusian Emigre
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may be the most famous person to be granted political asylum in Ecuador. But he isn't the only one.
(Click to read)
2. PHOTO GALLERY: A Conscript's Life: Inside The Belarusian Army
Every Belarusian man from age 18 to 27 is required to serve in the country’s military for a year or more. Young soldiers are subjected to hazing by their superiors, relieved only by the thought of later being able to treat new recruits the same way.
(Click to view)
3. Sarajevo, 20 Years Later: The Baby In The Picture, All Grown Up
He’s the subject of one of the most iconic images of this city’s deadly four-year siege. But the boy in the picture says he isn’t all that interested in the anniversary and that his few memories of the war are far from unhappy.
(Click to read)
4. AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Photographing The First Chechen War
In 1995, photographer Aleksei Sazonov traveled to Chechnya to document the outbreak of war in the separatist republic. Years later, Sazonov recalls braving sniper fire and making tough ethical decisions to capture the conflict.
(Click to view)
5. For U.S. Athlete And Georgian Birth Family, A Past And Present Revealed
U.S. Paralympic swimmer Elizabeth Stone has come a long way since being given up for adoption shortly after her birth in an impoverished Georgian village. News of her achievements made its way to the family that gave her up more than two decades ago and ended decades of fear and uncertainty.
(Click to read)
6. VIDEO: A Tough Job, And Little Trust, For Afghan Police
Many Afghans have doubts about their police officers’ capacity to take charge of security as NATO-led forces withdraw. RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan spoke to one police officer in Kabul about the challenges of the job.
(Click to watch)
7. The Deadly Consequences Of Cultural Insensitivity In Afghanistan
In the past year, there has been an alarming spike in the number of Afghan soldiers opening fire on and killing their Western counterparts. Aware that many of the attacks are due to simple misunderstandings, the Afghan government has taken steps to give its security forces a lesson in cultural awareness.
(Click to read)
8. PHOTO GALLERY: From Brezhnev To Putin -- 30 Years In Russia
Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev died on November 10, 1982. In the three decades since, Russia has experienced glasnost, perestroika, an attempted coup, hyperinflation, an oil-price boom, and what some fear is a return to Soviet-style rule.
(Click to view)
9. Malala's Schoolmate Says Taliban Bullet Has Only Strengthened Her Resolve
A classmate and friend of Malala Yousafzai who was shot alongside the Pakistani teen peace activist has returned to school with a strengthened resolve to receive an education.
(Click to read)
10. Pussy Riot: The Early Years
A rare look at the days before infamy and imprisonment.
(Click to view)