A Best Long-Form Articles of 2025: An Selection of Compelling Journalism

Upon consider the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These narratives delve into multifaceted topics including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.

The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?

Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.

The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the history of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Cult That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.

A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law

Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A film following a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and is the filmmaker's true methods?

The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals depend on him to bring back order.

Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment end – until potentially now.

The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.

An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret

With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?

A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning

When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women

When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the events is still partially contested.

The "Master" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?

One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution

When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.

The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move

In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.

The best narratives