I disagree with some of the results of the poll big time! I am really surprised that so many would give newbies RUSSIA. Russia may have a simple strategy, as most would agree with, but it is perhaps the easiest country to loose on the whole board not to mention one of the most frustrating to try and keep! You are being attacked on both sides while at the same time you have the weakest income and the smallest army! Why on earth would you give russia to a newbie …if russia falls soon (as would happen with a newbie) there is no way for UK to hold of Germany. I would reccomend, therfore, giving US to the newbie. In my opinion, the necessity of the US fro the european victory is over-rated. In most the games I played, if russia and UK are done well, the US is minimally needed. This lets the newbie "go at his own pace, " he can learn the navy side with japan, he can learn the strategy of cooperation with the UK and he can learn land assaults in China and in Africa(assuming he figures that out).

I actually have found the I complex in India to be fruitful, assuming certain things havened:
1. either russia or american presence has increased since the start
or
2. Japan’s forces have been preoccupied eastward.

Note that since India is worth 3 its very hard for japan to take it over once it gets going. So, if you can survive the first round of having it…it’s worth is.
However, I rarely use India that way when i play. I much prefer to build i complexes in northern africa (anglo/egypt sudan area). I know one player suggests building in S. africa but that’s just plain too far away, you are much better off building close to southern germany at the expence of 1 production capability. This way, you can prevent germany from taking over africa AND have a great offensive vehicle towards southern germany, AND be close enough to Russia to protect some of it from Japan! Really it’s the perfect place for an I complex - just takes longer to build up a decent sized army.