Upon reflect on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These pieces probe complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film following a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, families turn to him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable medical remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his situation could turn around. I was sadly wrong.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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