So I've tried different ways of approaching the level so as to beat it (including expanding aggressively in multiple tries with focus on certain directions each time) and I keep failing, each time with the westernmost AI overtaking me in troop deployment before I can set a presence near him, let alone on the same landmass.

I have a vague idea of how to go about beating it but I can't really figure it out in time and the rng seems to be against me. How did you beat the level (I don't mind if the number of turns is high. I just need to beat this and move on to enjoy the next level)?

https://www.warzone.com/Forum/309808-u-beat-best-defensethank-u

read the post i did there.

Thank you for the link. I managed to beat it, but my internet decided not to let me record the win. Either way, the information is useful and I'll be sure to use it in the future. Thank you.