It has been a year of the politically unexpected and unimaginable.
In a surprise referendum result, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union and David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister shortly after.
There were historic handshakes, impeachments and an attempted military coup.
The refugee crisis continued to dominate headlines, with many migrants dying trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe, prompting a domino of border closures across the continent.
While there was a mass exodus of civilians from Iraq with the launch of the largest and most complex battle against the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Mosul.
Syria caught the world's attention as the conflict raged on a fifth year. Relentless bombing saw thousands of civilians flee the war-torn country.
Footage of a young Omran Daqneesh covered in dust in the aftermath of a bomb blast became a poignant symbol of the suffering of those in Aleppo.
Watch the year in review: