New version is more explicit about defending northern state (13)
I believe the answer is:
reincarnation
'new version' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'more explicit about defending northern state' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'about' could be 're' ('re' means regarding or about) and 're' is present in the answer.
'northern' could be 'n' (abbreviation e.g. N. Ireland) and 'n' is found in the answer.
'state' could be 'nation' (synonyms) and 'nation' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reincarnation that I've seen before include "new life" , "Rebirth (of a soul)" , "Soul's rebirth in another body" , "getting new body" , "revised version" .)