Best way to monitor AI factions while mod testing?

I am playing around with different mods to try to make the AI better. I usually play as SPQR since you can sit around doing nothing for a long time.

I have toggle_fow to watch AI factions, but I need more info on them. So I modded in a bunch of spies at various locatiosn in the descr_strat.txt file.

But there MUST be a way to debug a mod that is better than that. Some people have posted more cheats on the forum (such as toggle_perfectspy) but I have not been able to make them work. Is there anyway I can switch factions mid game? any way to see everything?

Help is appreciated.