BREXIT chaos in Britain, with a Prime Minister showing a certain resilience but little else, and a ruling political elite that has contributed nothing but ineptitude; in America, a president addicted to disorder and belligerence, and whose tariff wars could yet prove harmful to global prosperity; in general, a conviction that much of the world still isn’t taking climate change with the gravity and urgency it demands.

The problems that became more evident, or which came to the fore, in the year that expired last night do not, of course, quite end there. How can the West realistically counter Vladimir Putin’s continuing aggression? As General James Mattis reminded us as he resigned as President Trump’s defence secretary, it is clear that China and Russia “want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model.” General Mattis also made a valuable point about the way that Mr Trump treats America’s allies: the US, he said, cannot protect its interests or serve its role as “the indispensable nation in the free world ... without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.” Is Mr Trump listening? If he is, he is hiding it exceptionally well.

The President may now have “slowed down” the withdrawal of US troops from Syria but his original decision – announced, naturally, on Twitter – stunned his military officials and his allies for the simple reason that he was bored by, or simply was not interested in, the larger geopolitical picture, a crucial omission in a region as sensitive as this one. Mr Trump’s unpredictable, shoot-from-the-hip style has also caused jitters amongst investors.

There was, of course, much good news this year, but it was hard to keep sight of amidst the gloom, rancour, adversity and uncertainty that crowded in on us. The issues mentioned above, and others as yet unforeseen, will shape 2019 for better or worse. But let’s take a breather from them while we can. A Happy New Year to all our readers.