Crossword puzzle clue "this answer is a four letter word"

This answer is a four-letter word

Answer, when pointing to this answer, to the question "Which letters answer this clue?"

Topic of international negotiations ... and a hint to every four-letter answer in this puzzle

Angle irons graphically represented by four sets of black squares in this grid, and by letter formations starting in the four longest answers

Joins forces, or the hidden four-letter words in four Down answers

Collection consisting of four plates, four saucers, four bowls, etc.

Star with many lines, or what the three-letter word at the beginning of each starred answer may be considered?

Many protagonists, and a hint to the four letters that make up each starred answer's first word