The Documentary Podcast: Archive 2012

How exemption from conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews is exposing Israel's fault lines. Linda Pressly reports.

Across the developed world, government funding for universities is drying up. That means universities are having to seek finance elsewhere. Princeton University is the master at getting money from former students. Rob Broomby hears concerns about how donations are changing academic priorities.

In Japan people believe that your blood type - or ketsueki-gata - defines your temperament and personality. What implications does this have for life, work and love?

Tim Whewell gets rare access to a rebel held town in northern Syria.

The series History Lessons for China's New Leaders recalls some of the most important stories from Chinese history. In part 2 Carrie Gracie looks at the lessons from history as seen by the Chinese people.

The tragic story of African migrants who fled fighting in Libya on an inflatable boat.

The island monastery of Valaam in northern Russia is a beacon for orthodox believers and a favourite of President Putin. But all is not well with the island's inhabitants.

The series History Lessons for China's New Leaders recalls some of the most important stories from Chinese history. In part 1 on the eve of the 18th Communist Party Congress, Carrie Gracie looks at lessons from history for China’s new leaders.

Meet Muhammad Idrees Idrees, the man who overstayed his Indian visa and was stripped of his nationality and identity.

Episode 2: Power and Foreign Policy - How do America's presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney believe the US should interact with the rest of the world?