Re defection - afaik the initial problem came alongside an optimization work. Aka just reverting isn't good enough.
Re - Armies/Flesson, I think you are framing that badly. A good portion of players here and elsewhere expressed that the world was too stale. We listened and agreed. A number of developers including sad shogun spent significant effort on finding a solution (not just army cooperation although that is pretty cool) that makes them more effective - and checking how it effects balance / snowballing over longer periods. As gryphon said - it goes both ways. Snowballing is slightly higher (in our tests), yes, but the world is notably less stale. This exchange was a conscious choice.
I will still be on the road until the 8th probably, so slow posting.