User blog comment:JoshofBlades/Why the Empire Should Prevail Over the Stormcloaks! (part 2)/@comment-151.224.4.14-20130514163738

The Empir needs to keep control of Skyrim to bolster it's undermanned military. Both the Stormcloaks and the Thalmor are racist but the Empire had no choice but to accept the White-Gold Concordat. However, as hinted by many Imperial characters throughout the game, the Empire is preparing to wage a second war against the Thalmor, one they expect to win. The Stormcloaks, albeit unwittingly, ar doing the Thalmor a big favour as Skyim is weakened now. Easy pickings for their army. That is why the Empire needs as much support as possible.