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As we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These accounts explore complex subjects from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.

A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing question: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now cost him his life.

A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The British Cult That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.

A Leader's Curious Stance on International Law

Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.

Shattering a Nation's Self-Image

A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording poses complex queries: Is she really changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, families rely on him to restore peace.

Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment end – up until potentially now.

The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the highest echelons of government.

An British Professional With a Dishonest Side

With his keen mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.

The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center

An astonishingly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle

Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case

How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the full nature of what happened remains somewhat contested.

A "Master" of the Attention Economy

He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?

One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution

When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was tragically wrong.

A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.

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