... Basra to keep in Turkish hands may be nice, but is not really important. Of course you could the first turn repeat as long you have an early Turkish entry into the war, but this would be very troublesome for an event which as I said in my opinion is not as important.
Can not say any more as it was in the game with Sapare, but if it was like that because, yes, I guess I just had two times lucky. But "Sapare" You really have therefore previously lost with your Entente? You say yourself that your actions in Italy have been the deciding .....
Italy and instantly attack is legitimate because Italy was before World War 1, in an alliance with Germany and Austria. Since Italy out of the war and also held out alliance treaties with France and England had, it was quite a real possibility of CP to perform a first attack on Italy.
Certainly the better option would have been as the mass death on the Western Front. Early withdrawal of Italy from the war will weaken the Entente strong and opened a further opportunity to threaten France. Moreover, in the not insignificant fleet of Italy is taken out of the Mediterranean.
I hope all can understand my English.... my German is better.....