""Do you mean the ones who have left and are happy, such as Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, or do you mean the unhappy areas which can't leave such as Chechnya?""

Whatever!

But it does make me wonder whether the Americans here would consider that Alabama should have the same right to self determination that they would advocate for, say Chechnya, or is it only right when it's happening to the "other side"?

Ditto, the Brits. Should Cornwall have the right to freedom from UK rule?

I assure you, it's a serious question, not trolling for controversy. I am wondering where our conception of the rights of others runs out of steam, and more importantly WHY?

Don T