Links worth investing in: really old bonds, investment trusts, the new global economic configuration, and investing in BAe

Plus, Bitcoin as a strategic reserve currency (really!). Some great geography and history pub quiz facts. And why Assad’s regime crumbled so quickly.

Programming note: Next week (Xmas week) and New Year's week (the week after) will consist of weekly notes, with normal service resuming on Monday 6th, January, for one week. There will be no letters the week after (the week commencing 13^th January) as I’m away on a business trip to Vietnam.

Next week, I’ll write a review of 2024, including some investmen…