So if the Russians don't benefit from a Medeterrian break out, that seems like a moot point. Current events in Turkey look as though the government is about to become more authoritarian and possibly less secular than it had in the past. That's why I'm trying to figure out what might happen as far as current events being extrapolated into another four years or so.
One could always simply go with the material in the book and call it an alternate earth, but it would be interesting to see if one could get something more modern.
Anyone got ideas?