to dave r; solution

If we're going to apply laissez-faire politics in one area (ME) then we should apply it everywhere else (Kosovo, Iraq, Iraq-Iran, India-Pakistan, Iraq-Kurds, Turkey-Kurds, Cyprus and at least a dosen other places). Can't be done, so the strongest power applies whatever political thinking it wants -which, of course, is primarily (by far) economic, or rather protectionist towards thuggish corporations.