MORNING BID EUROPE-Russia-West - a post-Paris thaw?

* A look at the day ahead from European Economics and Politics Editor Mark John and EMEA Markets Editor Mike Dolan. The views expressed are their own.

LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - French police think they may have pinned down the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks in the northern suburb of St Denis. A shoot-out has been going on for several hours and two suspects have been killed. If they do manage to get Abdelhamid Abaaoud, it would be a major coup -- but it is far too early to reach any such conclusions.

In the wake of Friday's attacks, British PM David Cameron is angling for parliamentary backing to back intervention in Syria. MPs in his own party have long been wary but he may attract enough support from the divided-looking opposition Labour Party to win a majority and set the date for a vote.

News (Other OTC: NWSAL - news) that Francois Hollande is to visit Moscow - the first EU leader to come for a bilateral visit in months -- is a major step towards Russia's international rehabilitation. Russian markets are up on the diplomatic thaw because they see a chance to get sanctions lifted. Any rapprochement will be viewed with a more concerned eye by those in Ukraine and the Baltic states.

MARKETS (AT 0745 GMT)

Unfolding events in the Paris police operation, diverted flights, cancelled sporting events, bomb scares and stepped-up airstrikes back in Syria are all combining to create a tense jumpy atmosphere in global markets. Asia bourses, led by a 1 percent drop in Shanghai, were mostly lower. But through all the headlines, metals prices have continued to sink, with copper, gold and nickel all setting fresh multi-year lows over the past 24 hours. Brent oil is stuck below $44 and the broader CRB commodity index is back at 13-year lows. Dollar strength and global demand doubts are all drivers. The latest numbers from the United States yesterday only showed core inflation at 1.9 pct and not enough weakness in industrial output to deflect the Fed from hiking next month. Wall St stocks were slightly lower overnight and futures are still in the red. Euro/dollar steadied after plumbing as low as $1.0630 yesterday. Eurostocks futures are marked down about 0.5 pct after hefty gains of more than 2 pct Tuesday. FOMC minutes and a hail of Fedspeak dominate later in the session, with US housing numbers too.

Upcoming events/data/ themes for market reports:

- German 2-year note auction

- UK 10-year gilt auction

- Poland Oct employment/wages

- US Oct housing starts/permits

- Fed Presidents Mester, Dudley, Lockhart, Kaplan al speaking

- FOMC minutes (Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)