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Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts explore complex themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.

A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Origins

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.

The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had perpetrated.

The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law

Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.

Breaking a Country's Identity

A film following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's true motives?

The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, people turn to him to bring back peace.

Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

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

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.

The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings influence the highest echelons of the state.

The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret

With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.

A Small State That Became the World's Mediation Center

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this ambitious role?

A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.

A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers

When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of the events is still partially unclear.

A "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?

One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life could improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.

The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.

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