While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces stands out. Such narratives explore complex themes from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pressing question: Has he become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way out of prison was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich country has risen as a key force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life might improve. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
