Bicycles ablaze on the streets of the Netherlands. A violent mob at the heart of American democracy. Panic in Kabul as thousands flee a brutal regime.

There is no doubt: it has been a turbulent twelve months.

The year began with the world in crisis. By 1 January, the pandemic had already ravaged society. Thousands had died, still more were in lockdown. And all the time, temperatures were rising. As the new year dawned, senior UNUnited Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security. officials warned the outlook was the "darkest and bleakest ever seen". 

But 2021 had more surprises in store. Around the globe, political unrest dominated the headlines. 

Here are seven key events that shaped the world this year. For some, they are proof: our planet is more dangerous than ever before. 

Capitol riots. Five people died when a pro-Trump mob stormed the US Capitol in January. Their bid to stop Joe Biden's presidency ultimately failed, but the USA was still named as one of the least peaceful nations on Earth by the Annual Global Peace Index. 

Violence against women. Sarah Everard's disappearance from the streets of London on a cold March night sparked a global conversation on women's safety. Women worldwide spoke of their anger after a serving police officer was charged with her murder. One in three women experience violence across their lifetime. The same month, the World Health Organisation warned that the pandemic is exacerbatingMaking worse. Lockdowns have disrupted support services.  the problem. 

Belarus hijacks plane. In May, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko invented a bomb threat to intercept a passenger plane flying over the country. When the flight landed in Minsk, two passengers were dragged away: opposition journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner. Security experts warned the brazen kidnapping set an alarming precedent for authoritarianEnforcing strict obedience to authority. regimes everywhere. 

Hong Kong crackdown. Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy newspaper printed its final edition in June. Apple Daily was forced to close after national securityIn 2020, China's top legislature passed a new national security law for Hong Kong. Anyone found guilty of "secession", "subversion", "terrorism" or "collusion with foreign forces" can be sentenced to life imprisonment.  police raided its office, froze its assets and arrested its editors. "Press freedom in Hong Kong is effectively dead," declared worried journalists. 

Taliban return. "It's time to end America's longest war," said Joe Biden as he confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan. But within days of allied forces leaving in August, the country had fallen to the TalibanA violent fundamentalist Islamic movement that enforces sharia law and denies education to women.. World leaders fear the Taliban's victory could embolden the global jihadi movement. 

Lockdown protests. With a fourth wave hitting the continent, many European nations brought back lockdown restrictions this month. Widespread protests followed. In Brussels, the police responded to violent clashes with tear gas and water cannons. 

Record number of migrants drown. More than 1% of the world's population are now forcibly displaced, says the UN. Desperation forces people into dangerous situations. On Wednesday, 27 migrants drowned trying to reach England. It is the worst disaster on record involving migrants in the English Channel. 

Definitely, say some. This year has proved to be just as difficult as 2020. Climate change still threatens the world. The pandemic is here to stay. And now political turmoil has forced millions into a precarious and unstable situation, constantly on the edge of violence. 

This is defeatist, say others. We should not ignore the extraordinary acts of cooperation that have made the planet a better place this year. Thousands worked together to vaccinate the world, fight climate change and even hold the Olympic Games. There will always be uncertainty, but there will also always be hope.