User blog comment:JoshofBlades/Why the Empire Should Prevail Over the Stormcloaks! (part 2)/@comment-97.145.166.237-20120225215129

If the Empire retains Skyrim the internal fighting may halt but tensions will not. That being said what sort of military prowess do you think the Empire could mold out of tired and morally beaten soldiers of the rebellion? Certainly not enough needed to fight any major strategic front. On the other hand, as stated below, if the Stormcloaks win the war they will need a large period of rest in order to build a competent and organized army, as there is little discipline and order within the ranks. After all, neither side can rely on the Dovahkiin, case and point Morrowind and the Nerevarine post Dagoth-Ur events, or the Oblivion Crisis hero post...well...Oblivion Crisis.

The Thalmor, albeit powerful, are stretched just as thin as the Empire, otherwise why would there have been a treaty in the first place? And as for the Empire the almost god-like Septim bloodline is but a memory, and shear memories do not win wars! You reap what you sow and nothing could be more truthful; just look at how quickly Black Marsh exacted revenge (slavery being the driving force) on a battered Morrowind. The Empire turned its back on Talos in order to buy time thus angering the Nords, they out right abandoned Hammerfell, and seemingly just dismissed Black Marsh claiming independence and devouring Morrowind. Looks like a bleak harvest for the Empire as we have known it if you ask me.

This stalemate between the Empire and Dominion needs to end with a knife in the back of the White Gold Concordat unannounced from either side. Otherwise internal strife from either unstable force will claim its toll on the tides of war. As for the civil war in Skyrim, pick any side you want, as it is a moot point in the grand scheme of the large scale, multi-race, multi-front, continental war forming in the near future. Aldmeri Dominion vs Empire Remenant vs An-Xileel vs Hammerfell.