As we consider the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces shines. Such pieces delve into complex topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. This prompts a pressing question: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing intense argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of exploitation it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on International Law
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his situation might change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
