As we consider the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces emerges. Such accounts probe intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on authoritarianism. While several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the history of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, families rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a key force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this ambitious role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest stories
