Seems I was pretty prescient ...
I've corresponded with Singapore Yank as well, and I've also been an expat overseas.
Last I corresponded with another pal in Jakarta, the demos weren't too threatening (about a week ago). Of course, that friend also went through Tehran circa 1980, and has lived overseas for many years.
Personally, I think expat alternatives may not be a bad idea generally.
My personal experience has been that the State Dept. and all (that is, A-L-L) news organizations greatly exaggerate the "risk" of living overseas.
Take your pick, there are plenty of countries where Americans (who lay low and act sensibly) are welcomed and can live in relative peace.
I'm currently hankering to return to another overseas region where I've lived quite happily in the past. It is only a series of mitigating circumstances that causes me to wait.