No problem dude. I would say that so far, the battle for the far east is fairly tight. Russia is collecting more, but they also face a more potent threat. I would say Evenki is the ideal territory if another starting factory is used to balance the situation here because it covers the routes into Arch, Yakut and China, but is one space off Yakut (so it can’t be stacked immediately.) Tanks purchased here could reach into the far east, but also cover Karelia through Arch. It is the prime candidate I think, if anything is needed because (unlike USA) Russia is still more cash strapped. If all the rest of the Allies must purchase factories to activate the production power of their starting territories, Evenki alone might be enough. But I’m not sure if even that is necessary. It is possible for Russia to purchase a factory in the opening round to cover and still get up to 9 ground. Or push to support a Szech factory. Or just concentrate on G. They have a lot more options at 40, but they are also under threat in much the same way as before. If they send fighters to cover Suez, or the far east, then they are somewhat out of position against G. So something still has to give somewhere. Overall though, I find this set up has a certain charm. Factories in the first round can be used to establish the lines, and then players wheel around each other based on who is concentrating where. I find this sort of playstyle entertaining, perhaps you will too :)
The factory unit at 12 is much more adaptive. It is possible to concentrate production closer to the front, but the upper limit on the money is such that Nations cannot afford to max place everywhere at once. They still have to make choices, if you buy new production, it is the investment cost, and less units you are stacking in other territories (like the home capital regions) so it is still a trade off. After you make a few buys at the higher scale economy you start to see where the ceiling hits, which sorts of builds are actually viable.
Also after deliberation, I can see your point about a 3 in E. Australia, but I think this would require dropping W. Canada back to one, to push the ipc out. The thought behind Western Canada at 2, is a draw for Japan, if they cross into N. America. But as it is a necessary transit space for US (or possibly Japan), it would not have huge swing effect if dropped back down. Thus far we have not seen W. Canada make a huge impact at 2, so perhaps the ipc could be shifted, if a strong need was demonstrated. I still kind of enjoy the current Australia set up. Its just big enough to potentially make a difference, but just low enough that Japan doesn’t make an all out press immediately, but’s valuable enough to go out of position for a round, if the area is left undefended. Another possibility is to drop India back down to 4, but I have found it pretty entertaining at 4, so I’m not sure pulling from that location is ideal either.