As 2025 draws to a close, the final edition of the Guardian Weekly magazine presents a stark portrait of a world where the foundational rules of the post-war era appear to be fracturing. The publication, which will return on 2 January, uses a special year-ending essay to frame a period of profound global uncertainty.
The Unravelling of a Rules-Based World
In a significant analysis for the magazine, diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour charts what he describes as the erosion of the international order. He argues that the long period of relative stability since the Second World War is unravelling, marked by a severe crisis of legitimacy for international law.
The driving force behind this shift, according to the essay, is the rise of 'mobster diplomacy' under the influence of former and potentially future US President Donald Trump. Western leaders are reportedly fearful that the world is now in a dangerous transitional phase, or interregnum, where accountability is diminishing and established norms are being routinely violated.
Anguish, Horror, and Grounds for Hope
This week's edition also carries reflections on the recent Sydney terror attack, addressing the sadness and horror felt by the magazine's many readers in Australia and examining the event's wider repercussions.
Yet, the magazine insists that grounds for hope persist. It highlights the selfless actions of individuals and community organisations as beacons in a challenging year. The Guardian's Global Development team profiles several inspiring figures they encountered in 2025, from a woman confronting state violence to a journalist killed in Gaza.
Five Global Health Successes of 2025
Despite grim headlines stemming from cuts to humanitarian funding by the US and other nations, the edition spotlights positive medical progress. Global health correspondent Kat Lay reports on five key medicinal advances that are improving life prospects for millions worldwide. These breakthroughs, occurring in vaccine research and the treatment of specific illnesses, offer a counter-narrative to a year of geopolitical strain.
The magazine's regular sections also deliver essential year-end reviews and commentary. The 'Spotlight' investigation focuses on the anguish and anger in South Africa over allegations that men were tricked into fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war, with reports pointing to the involvement of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former president Jacob Zuma.
Culture is not forgotten, with Guardian writers ranking the best films and albums of 2025, while the magazine's own critics share their television highlights. In opinion, columnist John Harris observes a cultural shift, noting signs that society is beginning to rediscover life beyond smartphones, from phone-free nightclubs to a decline in online dating.
Further reading includes an insightful piece by Helen Pidd on the real-world impact of Reform UK taking control of 10 councils in local elections earlier in the year, a record that could influence national voter trust. A lighter note is struck with a guide to navigating the perils of the workplace Secret Santa.
The edition concludes by directing readers to other Guardian highlights, including a new podcast series 'The Birth Keepers' from Guardian Investigates, a documentary about a choir that sings to the dying, and a gallery featuring The Nutcracker ballet performed in Nairobi by Dance Centre Kenya.
