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Upon consider the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. Such pieces delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. This poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War

The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.

The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings

The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. But, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law

A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.

Breaking a Nation's Self-Image

A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?

A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to restore order.

Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy

Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical solution – until potentially now.

The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest echelons of the state.

The British Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a major player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?

An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning

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

A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.

The "Master" of the Online Age

He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Story of Youth Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life could turn around. I was devastatingly wrong.

The Global AI Race and a Crucial Move

In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.

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