migrants stranded on the belarus/poland border in freezing conditions, desperate to make it into the european union. the situation at times surging out of control. >> poland sealed the border and has 15,000 troops here to make sure that no one can pass, jake. >> reporter: european leaders have accused belarus of manufacturing the crisis as retribution, sanctions over human rights abuses, claims belarus denies. the year ends with tension s th highest in years, fueling fears over moscow's intentions. number four, chinese leader xi jinping's steel grip on power tightened. >> how has president xi been able to cement his hold on power for so long? >> it sets him up as the