Churn is vital in democratic politics. It is right and good that, when the people have spoken, the powerful respond. By departing office, if they are defeated. Seldom, though, in my experience, has such a switch been greeted with so much apprehension.

No doubt Donald Trump’s ardent supporters are delighted at the prospect of his second term. Those he has elevated to high office, facing US Senate hearings this week, will be eager with anticipation.

Globally, the mood is one of disquiet. Of fear. It is not that his mandate is disputed – although, of course, the President Elect did not grant such leeway when ousted from office four years ago.

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Instead, he vowed to contest arithmetic and battle on, with an attitude which soured US politics then and since. Rather, it is concern as to how his character and his ideology will impact upon world affairs, ranging from existing conflicts to the climate and the economy.

Will he listen only to his instincts and those of his like-minded advisers? Will he live up to his self-image as the heroic defender of America? Or will external and global advice prevail? Can he, in short, be constrained?

Not a good start that his pre-inauguration aims included the potential annexation of Greenland. Open-mouthed European leaders seemed torn. Should they ignore this as ludicrous bombast or threaten military reprisals against this challenge to Denmark’s sovereignty over the icy territory?

Do I believe that the USA will invade Greenland? No, I do not. Wiser counsel will win through, linked perhaps to a restatement of America’s........

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