Karelian - The Basque are pretty much in their own pocket and I don't think they'll be disparately keen to join up with the Republican; They get to be pro-Church and pro-Independence as long as they're separate from Valencia so don't expect any big efforts from them to 'link up', but equally they'll fight hard to keep the Monarchists out so don't discount them.
Meanwhile the Catalan 'homeland' is under Monarchist control so they're getting suppressed and forced to 'be more Spanish' but are allowed to go to church. Is that better than being offered autonomy but watching your church burn down with the priest locked inside? Tough question, till that is decided it could go either way.
DonnieBaseball - No Italians in Spain this time round. Il Duce is far too busy staring greedily at Yugoslavia and making crazily shouty speeches about Dalmatia. "Imperialism you can believe in" was the phrase I think.
The Ms probably could get together first, but they don't have the inclination to do so. Once someone is 'supreme generalissimo of the army' that person can probably dictate the post-war political settlement, not something you want to give to a rival.
Pwn*Star - Not heard of that one, I must confess the SCW somewhat passed me by in my recent book purchases (not enough battleships by a long chalk). However I'll bear it in mind.
Bafflegab - Both sides are more than capable of getting things wrong. They will then have the chance to pick the wrong set foreign advisers to listen to who, in turn, can then apply inappropriate, out-dated doctrines and make even bigger mistakes.
TheHyphenated1 - It's good to be back in the saddle. Even better to have people still reading and enjoying it.
Duritz - Closer than you think in some ways...
I will say that both sides have quite spectacularly failed to allow for the other side doing anything, with interesting consequences.
Davout - The same Germany that's had the last few diplomatic moves rebuffed and just got slapped down by France over the Rhineland?
With French troops still loafing around in German territory I don't think the fear of the West is 'Resurgent Germany', even though behind the scenes re-armament and plotting continues apace. I think even a united Allies would end up ignoring Germany and worrying about someone else, after all that Hitler chap backs down if you challenge him........
Nathan Madien - Come to Spain! Try out your doctrines, sell some arms and above all don't worry about the casualties. A motto that a worrying number of countries involved are signing up to.