I mean, what's the fun of seeing your friends' lives spiral out of control if you can't get in a snarkastic comment or two along the way?

Alaska and Kaliningrad are both examples of exclaves.

a rough diamond

Despite the many problems a large part of cultural life was arabicised, including primary and secondary education and many arts faculties in universities, broacasting on radio and TV, new items in cinemas, public signs and the judicial system. But, all of these achievements notwithstanding, the centres of power and administration remained French-dominated.