In a year of tumult, were there any positive trends? Experts point to a number of areas where progress was made, from reducing child mortality and poverty to improving women’s rights.

But things are likely to get much, much worse before they—eventually—get better.

Syria is likely to remain a broken country for years to come. The latest strikes did not change that reality.

In any future talks on the nuclear program, the United States can’t exclude Iran’s regional behavior from consideration.