Nevertheless, the combination of reports of increased pressure and coercion of workers in connection to this product and some reports of screen issues and defects in the shipped products last week, are not good signs for Apple.

FORBES: Did Production Pressures Cause Riot At Foxconn Factory?

Analysts said the pressure for Ankara to respond militarily if a connection to Damascus was proved was tempered by a lack of compelling military options and the domestic unpopularity of Turkey's Syria policy.

WSJ: Turkey Blames Syria for Bombing

Earlier this year, the ministry buckled again under political pressure, being forced to abandon a new way of calculating connection charges that would have led to a 41% rate cut.

ECONOMIST: Japanese telecoms

So, how does a small business maintain a competitive advantage in the face of pressure from high tech innovation and the primordial human desire for high touch connection?

FORBES: There's An App For High Tech, Not High Touch

Analysts say the Haqqanis' denial of an ISI connection works to Islamabad's advantage, which has been under pressure from the US because of its ties to the militants.

BBC: Haqqani network denies killing Afghan envoy Rabbani