... my contention is that these are not necessarily optimal situations for our players to enter. Each of the countries mentioned has a distinct political reality, and although many of the foreign ballers in those nations experience a measure of insulation, they are not immune from the broader context.
Also to be considered is that some of the foreign ballers in those nations come from countries where adapting to the circumstances can be bridged by cultural, religious, linguistic and other affinities. I don't want to paint too fine a brush here because clubs like TP Mazembe bring plenty to the table. However, we have players that have had some players experience difficulty adjusting in Europe and even in places where there is little likelihood of unrest. That can't be discounted. At the end of the day, it comes down to each player's resolve and personality, but balling in Tunisia is not for everyone.
Everyday there are geopolitical events impacting sportsmen and women globally. Some fester. Others are tamped down by influential personalities. In nations where strife sizzles below the surface and can be kindled by ethnicity and other factors, nothing should be taken for granted. Everybody ain't Bob Bradley.