While we look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories shines. These pieces probe intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. While several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a pressing question: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest moments, families rely on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become wary.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life could improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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