The Australian marriage equality survey is almost over. How has the campaigning compared to others? What took place in the lead up to the positive vote in Ireland two years ago? What explains the differences?

With a more open foreign policy and better reform prospects, Uzbekistan's recently elected President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has many convinced of his geniality. Only time will tell if he can lead the nation to a prosperous future.

Since mid-October, Somalia's fragile calm has been broken by terrorist attacks. Militant group al-Shabaab has been blamed for the massive Mogadishu attack and the violence means Somalia's future is again in jeopardy.

Iraqi Kurdistan signalled its desire for independence from Iraq in its recent referendum, but given the international response, was it really a victory for Kurdish autonomy?

China has slowly been increasing and leveraging its soft power as it seeks to present its foreign policy as benign. But is it enough to challenge the US as the global hegemon?

Libya's progress towards a full democracy continues to be slow, marked by institutional failures, sectarian politics and a culture of impunity. Increasingly, it risks the rise of a new regime.

With Donald Trump's recent threat to "totally destroy" North Korea, Australia may have to closely examine its military obligations under ANZUS, should the US go to war.

Nearly a year after the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni, the Italian government must decide whether its citizens' human rights or its economic interests in Egypt are more important for political survival.

By focusing on a robust defence partnership, Australia and Japan can find strong security options beyond the US and China.

This month, Colombia's notorious FARC transformed from an armed group to a political party. But in a country where memory runs deep the transition is likely to be difficult.