The Finest Feature Articles of 2025: A Selection of Compelling Writing

As we consider the previous year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length pieces stands out. Such narratives probe intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.

The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation

An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on power. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.

A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Cult That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of abuse it had committed.

A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law

A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.

Challenging a Country's Myth

A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?

The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back peace.

Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – up until potentially now.

A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest levels of government.

The British Professional With a Crooked Side

With his keen mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.

The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major player on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?

A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?

The End of a Major Aid Organization: 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 Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of what happened is still somewhat shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?

One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness

As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.

A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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