I think there's no excuse for the American poetry reader not knowing a good deal about what is going on in the rest of the world.
I love it when characters surprise you, just like real people. When I write a scene I just try to make the characters behave in a way that feels natural to them. Sometimes that means they make a left turn and do something unexpected. Those are always the best scenes in my opinion.
No one should have to live like that when they've done only good things for the person.

