While we reflect on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length pieces emerges. Such narratives explore intricate themes from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Although several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a key query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may still get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The 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 helped reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she really reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life might change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
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