James Longman

James Longman is a prominent English journalist and the Chief International Correspondent for ABC News, a position he has held since November 2024. Based in London, he has reported from over 60 countries and has covered significant global events, including the war in Ukraine, the fight against ISIS, and various humanitarian crises.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1986 in West London, Longman was educated at Hill House and Worth School. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Arabic from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London and earned a master's degree in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics. Fluent in both Arabic and French, he began his career reporting from Syria during the early stages of the civil war, embedding himself with activist networks.134

Career Highlights

Longman joined ABC News in June 2017 after five years at the BBC, where he served as a Beirut correspondent and general news reporter. His work at ABC has included high-profile assignments such as:

• Reporting from Moscow during Vladimir Putin's declaration of war on Ukraine.
• Covering the aftermath of the Bucha massacre in Ukraine.
• Being the first U.S. network reporter at the Thai cave rescue.
• Documenting the COVID-19 pandemic across more than 15 countries.125

He has received multiple awards for his journalism, including a News Emmy for his coverage of climate issues in India and the David Bloom Award for his reporting in Chechnya. Longman has also been nominated for several other prestigious awards throughout his career.123

Personal Life

Longman is openly gay and married to Alex Brannan since July 2022. He has recently published a memoir titled The Inherited Mind, which explores themes of mental illness within his family, including his father's struggles with schizophrenia and depression.16

Overall, James Longman's career reflects a commitment to covering critical global issues with depth and sensitivity, making him a notable figure in contemporary journalism.