I have to agree that it was Moiraine who made the alliance between nations possible, she was the one who convinced everyone to break the seals. Still, Moiraine was powerful enough (with her angreal) and, side by side with Nynaeve, they wielded an unimaginable amount of saidar that was necessary...
Even though Egwene's death was really hurtful, I have to agree that it was also beautiful. Her finding of The Flame of Tar Valon was pure instinct and it was just the opposite of Balefire. There is always the opposite of something. And Balefire, we could see it as evil (since they were the ones...
It was not a poor bargain. They needed the help of the Sea Folk to use the bowl, and their "lending" of twenty sisters was just a beggining in their alliance and it was also helpful to find new powerful women.
Well, Aran'gar is obviously Balthamel and Osan'gar Aginor. They were brought back to life at the same time, they died at the same time. Aran'gar was expressing her feelings for Graendal whom she liked in the Age of Legends. Balthamel was fascinated by women. The Dark One only used Baltahmel's...
I read it and liked it lots. I just loved when Nynaeve broke her block and Rand's conquest of Illian. The girl's campaign in Ebou Dar was the best part of the book.