The Documentary Podcast: Archive 2012

The Assad family has now been in power in Syria for more than 40 years. The country may be embroiled in a civil war, but President Bashar Al-Assad has so far withstood the winds of change of the Arab Spring, as well as the international calls for him to go. Owen Bennett Jones asks how this dynasty has survived so long?

Benjamen Walker visits airports, amusement parks, roadways and colleges to document how the priority queue is re-ordering American society.

Why do we do the things we do? Mike Williams searches for the extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions.

It's a unique Japanese practice. Each year in Japan there are tens of thousands of unusual adoptions – very different from adoptions elsewhere in the world.

Latinos are part of the fabric of the USA, so what role will they play in the nation's forthcoming elections? Claire Bolderson visits Miami and looks at the future of America's fastest growing minority.

Why are there a growing number of African-Americans who openly don't believe in God or the church? Sarah Richards reports.

*This programme contains views and language which some listeners may find offensive and upsetting* Iraq can cost you your life. In a hard-hitting Assignment programme Natalia Antelava reports from Iraq on the persecution of gays in the country.

Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnic population in the USA. In the first episode of a two-part documentary, Claire Bolderson asks whether the Hispanic population could help re-energise the country.

BBC correspondent Will Grant challenges stereotypes as he investigates Mexico's economy. He talks to industry leaders, workers, politicians and economists.

For Assignment Tom Esslemont examines the disturbing world of Russia’s skinhead ultra nationalists.