Why does Saudi Arabia not connect to Ethiopia or Iran on Medium Earth, or Modified Medium Earth? It is only 18 miles across Bridge of the Horns. I think it is less than 50 miles across Persian Gulf/Oman as well. Seems like it would make Middle East more playable.

You'd have to ask Grundie, as he designed it, but I believe it was more about the strategic outcomes than the realism ones. I recall there was a big debate about whether or not Egypt should connect to Saudi.