Could I have some more detail on the faction_leader fix?

Antiocheia just fell to my assault. First, though, I had to fight two larde battles agaisnt armies reinforced by the garrison. It was a tough fight, but I prevailed in both engagements. My 3 phalanxes were reduced to around 30 men each, mainly from absorbing enemy generals' cavalry and fixing enemy phalanxes while I sent my Galatian swordsmen to hit them in the back.

Fascinating development:

Other factions are supposed to become quite hostile as soon as they share a border. Well, Both Makedonia and Hayasdan have shared borders with Pontos for quite some time and the worst I have seen from them is hayasdan armies using Pontos as a throughway.

While AI in most cases is unpleasantly predictable, it can still surprise.