Kasakka - Well the Italian influence is nothing, after being beaten in North Africa Il Duce has (temporarily) lost his taste for overseas adventures. Holding his country together through the post-war depression is his current priority. Equally German influence is a lot less obvious, no Condor Legion for starters.
On the other hand I doubt Communists in the Monarchist zones will survive long, just as anyone religious in the Republican zone will probably be burnt alive inside their church. Both sides in the war were (and will be) guilty of countless crimes, without the clear ideological differences I can't see any non-Spaniard being able to pick an a 'good' side. Is fighting against people who murder trade unionist worth fighting along side people who murder nuns?
merrick - Mostly on the money, both sides are defining themselves more by what they aren't/don't want than what they do want. Interesting thought on Praetorian Guard syndrome, it might help me explain a few things if the AI refuse to fight this season.
Kurt_Steiner - What the random generator gives it also takes away.
C&D - Indeed it would only make everything worse, it's just the law.
Vann the Red - A mess is what I was trying for, it appears I've succeeded.
On the tanks, that is the downside of the French tanks ; they come with French doctrine and tactics. They're not in themselves that bad, they were just designed for an almost completely defensive war under fairly specific circumstances, how well will they fit in Spain?
Karelian - Depends on how the tanks are used, if they end up guarding Valencia then I doubt anyone will learn anything from them.
Sir Humphrey - As it should be.
Duritz - Then you will be waiting along time, I've already moved onto tractors. I do have a plan for this and I need to cover a few more developments before heading back to Spain. Sorry about that.
Nathan Madien - I must confess having Wendell Willkie die a horrific and painful death is sorely tempting me, but I'm also toying with the idea of just not mentioning him, having him be just another businessman who went bankrupt during the Depression and then jumped of a building.
Davout - I must rob you of your comfort, there will be no tanks and no Spain. There will however be tractors.
As for Nick Clegg, once he loses the election I'm looking forward to his career in camp panto. He's got the Larry Grayson look all sorted.
However he might have competition from Gordon Brown
So in summary; No Spain but there will be tractors. Soon. Probably this weekend in fact.