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While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. These pieces explore intricate topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human sagas.

The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation

Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole way to escape prison was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now cost him his life.

The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings

The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.

The British Sect That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of exploitation it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law

Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.

Shattering a Country's Identity

A film following a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?

A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to restore normalcy.

Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – up until possibly now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of government.

An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side

With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become suspicious.

The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Center

An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this ambitious role?

A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?

The End of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.

The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of what happened remains somewhat unclear.

The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution

When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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