When I first read the story of the Great War and terms of the White-Gold Concordat I immediately saw the WGC as their true offensive strike. And not accidentally. If anything, it plainly lays out their plot:

- The cession of a large portion of Southern Hammerfell
- The banning of Talos

This was nothing more than a match lit in a powder keg... And the Thalmor were just waiting for it to explode.

The results of the cession of Southern Hammerfell went as planned, the forced renouncing of Hammerfell from the Empire along with the bitter wedge between Hammerfell and the Empire.

Even though Hammerfell was on its own, they fought against the Thalmor until the forces came to a 'standstill', ending w/ the "Second Treaty of Stros M'kai."
This provoked many to believe that the Emperor made a weak decision in signing the WGC in the first place, in effect showing weakness in the Empire.

*but perhaps that's what the Thalmor inevitably wanted*

Sure there is no TRUE evidence that supports this, but looking at the tactics of the Thalmor and how they play for the long game "One century at a time,"
one could say that they never truly wanted to win the war against Hammerfell.

As for the banning of Talos, this was a personal stab for all mankind, but none felt this more than the Nords. The happenings of the Markarth Incident were exactly what the Thalmor were hoping/waiting for. Seeing how things were played out between Hammerfell and the Empire, one can only expect the same to befall Skyrim and the Empire; separating Skyrim and the Empire with a granted bitterness between the two.

*Here's where speculation REALLY kicks in*

With all this said, I believe the next step in the Thalmor tactic is to create bitterness between Skyrim and Hammerfell, further separating any idea of alliances between these three provinces. (Kinda hoping the next DLC will be based off of this)

After this is accomplished, I believe they will begin their final assault on mankind, starting with the weakest of the three; The Empire. No, they won't start in Cyrodiil, but in High Rock. Once conquering this portion, they will put a full on assault against Cyrodiil, starting with the western border and working its way up the North-Western border. While this is going on, they will begin negotiations with Hammerfell about granting them new land in Cyrodiil as a show of peace.

Once the Thalmor defeat the Empire, they will hault their advancement, convincing Skyrim and Hammerfell that they mean no harm against either Province, playing to both their strengths. Years will roll on. Just as they fought their subtle war against Skyrim and the Empire, they will do the same to Skyrim and Hammerfell, pitting the two against each other. They will aid both opponents in this war, for the sake of culling the herd and skimming down the numbers. When all is said and done, the Thalmor will side with the stronger of the two opponents, helping them defeat the weaker.

Again... the waiting game. Time is ever on the side of elves. When the numbers have risen enough, they will attack the final opponent, thus ending the hardest part of their ultimate goal.

Anyways, I'm not saying that the Thalmor are meant to succeed in this goal, but I believe that the writer(s) mean for it to play out to this sort of effect; divide and conquer and use time as an ally.


Thoughts?

But suddenly... http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60KWaP-nahk/T-4uUOTQnsI/AAAAAAAAGns/qR5w7hg-coY/s1600/wrench.jpg

very true, again; hoping the next DLC will be the speculated/rumored "Redguard" in which we squash any plots the Thalmor have involving separating/starting a war between Skyrim and Hammerfell and even re-uniting the Empire, Hammerfell, and Skyrim, perhaps forcing their hand and starting the next Great War sooner than planned.

double post...

I hope so I really hate the Thalmor.

I doubt we'll be dealing with the Thalmor in a Skyrim DLC. That smells more like the main quest of TES VI: Alinor.

Doesn't smell like it to me. To leave the Thalmor not at least going "Oh crap!" and bugging out is to leave the Thalmor's immediate threat unresolved.

The Thalmor will get their nose bloodied by the end of the DLC run. I'll bet on it.

I feel the same way. We haven't even dealt with them directly yet, they have it coming to them in Skyrim... Sure I don't expect to play the entire next Great War, but perhaps the first initial battle would be nice.

which is why i do want the dragonborn to become the emperor and set things right. Sadly the empire is weak now, but i believe it can stand against the thalmor if correct choices are made, unless the developers already planned those things OP said.

From OP's post, the next conflict will be between hammerfell and skyrim. Where could the possible location be? Dragonstar. Which adds to 'redguard' being a dlc but lets leave that to the dlc discussion threads.

The thalmor is simply using hammerfell and skyrim against the empire. Sadly ulfric stormcloak did not forsee this.

If it all goes according to OP's plan, TES6 might be based on a post-thalmor invasion and the player has to aid the revolt against the thalmor. Where could this location be? I say cyrodiil.

YES. I'd love to see Dragonstar and the Isle of Stros M'kai. I figure that neither area is overwhelmingly big enough for a complete DLC, but having them both should equal out a DLC, plus both areas are filled with political tension; Dragonstar w/ tension between Skyrim and Hammerfell and Stros M'kai being where they signed the treaty w/ the Thalmor.

Plus, Stros M'kai is rich w/ new Dwemer lore and Dragonstar could re-introduce "Shadow Magic" for mages...

We might be dealing with them if the next DLC is Redguard or even if it is in skyrim a Thalmor invasion of Skyrim might be on the cards.

I'll bet against it.