longobard, that's quite a discussion you starting there, I'm sure the fronts will be divided here too. Anyways, the answer to your first question would be enroute alternate required at the planning stage maybe due to terrain profile for both decompression and engine failure. It's when you have no other choice but to follow the approved escape route towards the enroute alternate. Good examples are routes over Himalayas.
I'll cautiously answer your question 2 with yes.
