A Best In-Depth Reads of 2025: An Compendium of Compelling Journalism

While we look back on the previous year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces shines. Such accounts delve into complex topics including political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.

A Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country

An author became known in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. It poses a pressing query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might still get him killed.

A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The British Sect That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of abuse it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights

Numerous voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.

Challenging a Country's Identity

A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the director's own methods?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains

From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to bring back order.

Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?

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

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective medical remedy – until possibly now.

The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest levels of government.

The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become suspicious.

The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle

Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.

The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women

When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the procedures remains somewhat contested.

The "Mozart" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness

When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life could turn around. I was sadly mistaken.

The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.

The most impactful narratives