America isn't the only country with an election this year

We seem to get so wrapped up in the US election sesson ever time the presidency is up for grabs — there are still eight or so months until election day!

2008 is a big year for a number of countries. Will Pakistan's February election see turmoil? How will the handpicked successor to Vladimir Putin in Russia fare as yet another political puppet? Will Robert Mugabe maintain his iron grip on power in Zimbabwe as citizens go to rigged polls (like in Russia) in March? Can the elder statesman continue his near three decades of rule? And what about Iran, where the fiery Ahmadinejad will have to defend his place as Iran's president as legislative elections come in March and presidential in 2009.