User blog comment:Cyrice1/Stormcloaks or Imperials/@comment-1080767-20120707031447/@comment-1889545-20120707211903

About Hammerfell though, isn't most of it desert anyway? Attempting to hold it is not a good strategy and since Redguard are used to desert fighting, protracted war with them would be a terrible idea from a military POV. As such, I think the Thalmor are simply waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Elsweyr only joined because they are currently being tricked by the Aldmeri dominion and as far as I am aware, Black Marsh has remained independant of both sides.