What I like, for turn order, is the following:
Germany
Russia
Japan
United States
China (order is important rarely, but kill the issue NOW)
Italy
United Kingdom (all one power)
Australia/France
To solve the Italian issue with fleet deals:
-1 Destroyer Italian
-1 Transport Italian
-1 Submarine Italian
Move Alexandrian fleet to Suez Canal (east of Egypt, not north)
Move the Gibraltan fleet to SZ 91
Move the French fleet to SZ 87
This ends the threat to the British fleet by an early Italy move, saves the Italian fleet so they are a threat to Africa, and does not suicide the French fleet for no real game purpose. The fleets can still engage, the British/French can always move into the Med if they want (but Italy should get one round of the NO) and Italy being down a transport can stop it, but cannot take all of N. Africa (for instance) they’re moves are limited other ways.
Also, this kills the whole issue with a dead nation having a turn of their own. Just dump them on the Australian player as a semi-useless nation (they have units left, but no purchases/builds) so you are not holding up an entire game JUST so France can say “nah, I don’t want to do anything.”
