I see your point, to some extent. I don't think it is possible under the current circumstances (those being primarily that the target audience - and perhaps me in particular - are naive hicks when it comes to really understanding what is driving events in the region) to try to convey the full complexity of the situation. I'll take Syriana as baby steps in the right direction.

As to the elimination of some subplots such as derivative-Damon's family, I say take your vinegar with the sugar. The sugar in this case is payoff of seeing something as real as a kid's death, which far too many directors seem unwilling to ever depict. For an example, look at Spielberg, who seemingly has only wacked one kid (in a little red dress) in his films - with the rest escaping every known assault from biological to synthetic.