Trump and Putin will agree Peace in Ukraine. The USA will walk away, leaving Europe to deal with the consequences of an unbeaten Russia. A new cold war will descend. That could provide the spark for a European rebirth around rearmament and a new unity of purpose, or instability as Russia seeks to pick off weak nations.

The weekend’s events in Syria highlight dramatic and swift change at the core of the geopolitical instability that’s defined the last few years. The cost in blood from conflict has been horrendous, but from a market and stability perspective there is now more to be positive about. Russia and Iran’s defeat in Syria could even trigger global recovery!

Questions, questions, everywhere this morning! Bitcoin has staged a spectacular rally since the US election. I am assured - by crypto-shills - this makes it a proper financial asset. Oh, here was me thinking it was money. Nope. It’s an asset. Really? Also, a podcast on why Musk should buy Boeing. And what does the new US defence secretary likely mean for the US military and the future of NATO-CANZUS.

It hurts to admit, but Elon Musk played a blinder during the US election. Just how much more could he deliver to the US economy as part of the Trump administration? Disrupting entrenched US bureaucracies and the military-industrial complex could be transformational. I have a great business idea for him!

Let’s be dispassionate about the US election result. What kind of upside will a Bonfire of Regulations and Surging Confidence bring to markets? What are the risks of Trump’s new start for US markets? The next four years look… interesting.

The China Stock market rally comes on the back of hefty stimulus – and leaves many investors wondering if it’s sustainable or whether it’s wise to invest in China at this time. They may be missing the point – the China rally may be part of a wider Asian shift. Plus the end of UK coal.

Europe is waking up to the reality of conflict, acutely aware of the need to defend itself, to invest and produce weapon systems to deter aggression in what is a vastly changed geopolitical landscape. With the right approach it may even become a driver of growth across the European economy.