User blog comment:Some Argonian Named Kesch/Stormcloak Rebellion: Is Anyone Really Right?/@comment-3539474-20131112035604/@comment-3539474-20131113045524

Both of them have ulterior motives behind everything they do. For example the only reason the Empire banned the worship of Talos is because the Thalmor insisted they ban it in the WFC treaty or they will lose all provinces to the AD. Imperial Empire knew that the banning of Talos was necessary to stop the Great War if only for a short time to allow a swift recovery. They have no intention of allowing the Thalmor to rule over them, but to save thousands of lives.

The Imperials is ultimately right in this situation. In their weakened state, it isn't their fault that The Dominion are on the rise. What both faction need right now is a few years of peace/truce to work up their strength to fight off the AD. What the Stormcloaks is doing is splitting the realm. "United we stand, divided we fall and all that", re-read Elenwen dossier listing Ulfric as a tool used by the Thalmor specifically to keep the Empire off-balance.

Considering its current state of affairs, losing Skyrim would be a serious blow to the Empire and send it spiraling ever further into its death throes, which is a bad thing for pretty much everybody, given the chaos it'd cause. A Stormcloak victory might be better for Skyrim alone, not necessarily for the rest of Tamriel.

Titus Mede II may seem like a coward but he did save all three provinces from falling into the hands of the elves. When you execute him at the end of the DB quest line, he stands up and takes it like a man. Do not mistake retreat for cowardice. Also, the Thalmor asassinate High Chancellor Ocuto, they killed a fellow Altmer, enough proof that they does not care anything but themselves.