Oil and gold prices rise after fall of Assad in Syria – business live

European shares are mixed amid optimism around fresh China stimulus measures

Jason Tuvey, deputy chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said:

The fall of Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad has been warmly received by many, at least outside Russia and Iran, but a key lesson from the other Arab Spring countries is that hopes for a shift towards a liberal, Western-style democracy are likely to be dashed.

The implications for the global economy and energy markets from events in Syria are likely to be limited, although these potentially represent another major shift in the geopolitical sands in the region.

It seems that the Assad regime has fallen in favour of a new Islamic regime, which could change the geopolitical scenarios in the Middle East. Who is behind the jihadist rebels? Someone who wants the end of Russia, Assad’s historical ally?

Trump, meanwhile, has already let it be known that aid to Kiev will decrease. It must be said that, even in such a fragmented context, the markets have held up well for now. The hope is that all this chaos on Europe’s doorstep can find a peaceful solution through international agreements. It is clear that the current change in Syria will bring changes to the geopolitical order of all countries in the area.