While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These pieces delve into complex themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing critiques on power. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This raises a key question: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective treatment end – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life might improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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