At the start of 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin had reasons to be pessimistic about how the year was going to progress. As the year's end approaches, his and Russia's position on the international scene has improved considerably, thanks to several favourable developments, writes Saif Islam.
Hala Najjar explores the implications and potential outcomes of Saudi Arabia's radical new economic strategy.
As negotiations between opposition and government representatives look set to collapse, resolving Venezuela's political deadlock and growing economic problems largely depends on the military's next move, writes Lloyd Belton.
Despite several calls for local militants to join the ranks of Islamic State,traction in East Africa has been limited to date. However, the group nowlooks to be on the road to greater success in the region,writes Gabrielle Reid
Most polls failed to correctly predict the outcome of the US presidential election. Carilee Osborne explores why, and whether the surprise result is an indication of further political uncertainty during Trump's administration
Although Colombia's Congress has now passed the renegotiated FARC peace deal, a number of significant hurdles remain before it can be implemented, writes Lloyd Belton.
The conflict in South Sudan no longer involves two distinct sides, but has become eclipsed in the shadow of numerous armed groups as the wider political elite take up arms to secure their own political positions, writes Gabrielle Reid
When in office, US President-elect Donald Trump will have to reconcile a number of competing forces from his constituents to Congress, the media and civil society. Whilst the same can be said of most presidents, the unique character of Donald Trump will mean a particularly complex path, write Carilee Osborne and Lara Sierra-Rubia
Iranian fears that Donald Trump will dash US rapprochement with the Islamic Republic are well-founded, but the President-elect may yet embrace the economics of better relations, writes Felix Cook
Kristen Blyth assesses the new wave of privatisations in the Russia economy and explores the likely impact.
The recent assassination of a police officer in the province of Constantine is the first confirmed attack to be claimed by Islamic State in Algeria since 2014. However, the incident is unlikely to signal a change in the group's struggle to gain momentum in Africa's largest country. Francesca Fazey explores why.
The recent Filipino military offensive against theAbu Sayyaf Group has failed to rein in the latest spateof attacks and kidnappings in the southern Philippines,writes Mandira Bagwandeen