Nah, I wouldn't recommend LDRs at all. I'm stuck in Singapore
for a year and my gf's in Oz, and we've decided that it's not going
to work this way - so she's decided to quit her job and come over
to join me. 
Unfortunately, in your case, it seems
he doesn't have the freedom of choice that my gf does. 
As for having your other half run off with someone overseas, that's
a bona fide pain in the arse, so do be careful what you wish
for.
Staying friends with exes is entirely possible - I'm still great
friends with my last two. In the first case we took three months'
time apart and in the second case it was one day. Okay, so we don't
hold hands and kiss, but we don't have any problems with hugs.