Solivagant:
Did you carry out an "audit" before deciding to go??
No I did not..
It is a weird process that goes on in my mind:
1. am I attracted to the things to be seen and done in the country, and how strong is this attraction?
2. can I go there as an individual traveller?
2b. if not, is there a tour available with a company that I believe fits my interests (individual freedom, as less shared meals and outings as possible, ample time to visit historic sites)?
3. let's go!
In general I don't care much about safety concerns for myself & the impact tourism has on the country or its regime.
To 'outsiders' that may read this Forum: this does not mean that I am completely unaware about what's going on in the world, I do read up quite a lot before I leave. But I am more interested in the historical & natural features and a country's continuity than a temporary political regime. To equal a country (and its people) with a political system is not doing it justice.
So would I go to Saudi Arabia? Yes. To North Korea? Yes, though with a serious company and it's not high on my attractiveness list.