The Washington Post, The New York Times, National Geographic, and The Atlantic round out our top picks for this week.

The Washington Post – The uneasy mix of forces battling the Islamic State

By Laris Karklis, Aaron Steckelberg, and Tim Meko

These maps and timelines are beautiful. They are visually appealing, flawlessly organized, and clearly represent the conflict at hand. The maps themselves stand out from the crowd as beautiful yet easy-to-read visual representations of the forces involved in battling the Islamic State.

The New York Times – Living in China’s Expanding Deserts

By Josh Haner, Edward Wong, Derek Watkins, and Jeremy White

This is a stunning visual piece featuring graphics, video, and photo. It lets you experience life in China’s Tengger Desert through the eyes of the people who live there. The images are incredible and the story unique.

National Geographic – Here Comes a Wave of Change for Cuba

By Cynthia Gorney, Photography by David Guttenfelder

The photography in this piece is so visually appealing. Bright pops of color coupled with the occasional eye-catching map, this piece is easy on the eyes.

The Atlantic – What Drives a Professional Boxer?

Video by Tony Franklin

The Atlantic always produces creative, original videos. This one in particular has a compelling character and great images.