While we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length pieces shines. Such pieces probe intricate subjects from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the story of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The resulting intense argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might improve. I was sadly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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