public static function set_for_current_order_only_show_countries(array $a)
 {
     if (count(self::$for_current_order_only_show_countries)) {
         //we INTERSECT here so that only countries allowed by all forces (modifiers) are added.
         self::$for_current_order_only_show_countries = array_intersect($a, self::$for_current_order_only_show_countries);
     } else {
         self::$for_current_order_only_show_countries = $a;
     }
 }