User blog comment:Thedoucheinthenorth/The Civil War - Why it is great/@comment-5469467-20121101051603/@comment-5135631-20121102022521

For the losing side in the long run, a stalemate is a victory. 'Nam was a vcitory for Communists, though not one that involved many pitched battles. But it was still a victory, just not an explicit one.

Have you considered the geography of Skyrim/Hammerfell? Adverse places to fight, to be sure. The Redguards bore the full brunt of Aldmeri aggression, they were more weakened than the Thalmor.

If the Thalmor invade they'll be fighting two kingdoms and one empire, just like before. Whatever hatred there may be between the Empire/Skyrim, the Imperials know they can't let Skyrim be conquered. That would threaten their northern border. And of course Hammerfell would join in.

Everyone is expecting an Aldmeri attack, their main advantage has gone.