1. you wouldn't have the problem of over crampness if you get rid of some groups in places where they were never popular like the baaths in Kurdistan and shia areas. then you could add other groups in its place.
that could work, as long as it wasn't too lopsided. since you seem to be the resident expert, care to tell me which groups are where?
2. i wasn't sure of what the numbers were before but i think it is a great idea. also in al anbar al quida is weakening and is being kicked out my locals.
well the map isn't about Iraq right now or Iraq 4 years ago, its more like Iraq over the past 4 years.
3. i dont think there should be a negative bonus as much as a decreeing bonus like -1 for each different party you have in a city so that you will still get a bonus but a reduced one.
well for this to work the bonus would have to be much higher and then it might get out of control. Like +3 for each allied city, other wise a 'reduced' bonus of +1 wouldn't hold much weight. I do kinda like the idea of having a negative bonus for two enemies, since its like some city conflict. and when you think about it, the only time these bonuses would come up is in the end game, when someone is mopping up the last hold outs of an opponent. I will give it more thought tho.
4. (my own idea) i think to get a continent bonus you should have at least some presence n all of the cities on that contenent
i dunno, i think the contenents will be difficult enough to take, considering the mixed territories and such.