The work round is to spend 3 months in the EU and then return under EU rules and not UK. The case was Surinder Singh but there are subsequent rulings - https://www.freemovement.org.uk/surinder-singh-immigration-r...

You'll still be rejected out of hand and forced to resort to legal action however. You're right that the UK has targeted non-EU spouses and is intentionally obstructive, arbitrary and perverse in their dealings, all for the political ends you describe.