They're only strong because of the backing of the US and the west, who allow this 'controlling interest' only as long as the zios continue to serve their geopolitical interests in the region. With the middle class population fleeing, various related economic woes, over-reliance on the tech bubble and rapidly running into the limits of what their military can achieve, I predict this particular reich will be a flash in the pan and forced to come to terms in the somewhat near future. The resort to military violence to achieve goals is often a sign of weakness before the fall of a society, meaning they've run out of other options for getting their way and if pure firepower stops working then they're f*ed.

Take with a pinch of salt because it's what I would like to see happen so confirmation bias is a possibility!

cheers,
I