Upon reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories stands out. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This poses a key query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. But, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is she truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging times, people depend on him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment end – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich country has become a significant actor on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened remains partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life might turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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