While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories stands out. These pieces probe multifaceted themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with scathing satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's own methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become wary.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of what happened is still somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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