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As we look back on the past year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length stories shines. These pieces delve into complex subjects including political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.

A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a key question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War

The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.

The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins

The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.

A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.

A Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights

Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.

Breaking a Nation's Myth

A film following a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses difficult queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?

The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, people turn to him to restore peace.

Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – until potentially now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics

A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to get suspicious.

The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?

An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?

The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret

When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.

The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women

When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of what happened remains partially contested.

A "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?

Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas

With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?

One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation might improve. I was tragically mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection

In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.

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