Not with the Aldmeri Dominion though, but strengthening itself with ties to the other nations. Now, some say that the Empire might win the next war regardless. I don't agree though. To put it simply, the the Imperial City is still recovering, Hammerfell won an important victory but is left devasted and now not a part of the empire, Morrowind is still in shambles from Red Mountain plus the invasion from Black Marsh, Skyrim is in a civil war and won't be in good shape to help afterwards (Galmor's plan to invade the Sumerset Isles is idiot), and only High Rock is doing ok. Meanwhile, the Thalmor are also rebuilding their forces and not to mention that they have an unrivaled intelligence network (which shouldn't be understated how powerful that is). Instead of devoting all your time and resources on building up the Imperial Legion, I'll divert a good chunk of resources to our potential allies.

With that out of the way, let's assume I'm the emperor and I actually have the political capital to enact the policies I want to push forward for these diplomatic missions.

First on my list is Hammerfell. Diplomacy is needed because the Empire abandoned them in their hour of need to defend Cyrodiil. As Emperor, I wouldn't even try to retake the province. Instead, I would offer to rebuild their cities, give them coin and material resources. Then I would recognize Hammerfell as its own separate nation and establish commercial/trade ties to it. This is because Hammerfell may be independent now, but it doesn't have any formal allies and it doesn't have any money coming in when it needs coin the most. All the Empire asks for in return is a military alliance against the Aldmeri Dominion, not under the Imperial banner, but as equal partners.

Second, it has to be Orisinium. This is a huge untapped resource that the Empire should have utilized more. We don't have too many details on their current state affairs but that almost doesn't matter. The goal? The greatly strengthen the Legion by swelling their rank with orcs. Why would the orcs agree? Here's how. The empire can give something that the orcs never could achieve before....a permanent homeland. Maybe a piece of land next to the Jerall Mountains in the northern Colovian Highlands? Wherever it is, the empire can also provide, again, coin and resources. They may even help create defenses for the new Kingdom and the empire will officially recognize it as a principality. Also, the empire will remind the orcs that, while everyone treats them as outcasts, the Legion has always respected the strength of orcs on the battlefield and their skill at the forge (qualities all orcs highly respect as well). Orisinium can't deny that. Finally, they will also remind the orcs that if the Thalmor win, there's a distinct possibility that the elves would just commit genocide against them (even though this statement may be propaganda on the empire's side).

After that, Skyrim. Honestly, I don't see how the Stormcloaks have long term success, even if they win. At best, they will manage to keep eastern Skyrim for themselves. But whether it's through military or diplomacy, the empire must have Whiterun. Whiterun can be turned into the bread basket of the empire, if managed correctly. Not to mention that it's known for their strong horses, which might be crucial to reform a calvary in the next war.

The hardest challenge, diplomatically, imo, is Morrowind. The Empire has abandoned/neglected this province long before the war. They dropped the ball by not helping enough when the Red Mountain erupted and they didn't have the wherewithal to help during the invasion after the Oblivion Crisis. But now, like in Hammerfell but on a bigger scale, the Empire can launch a huge rebuilding effort to recultivate the land from the deep ash from the volcano. They can help refugees, maybe give them all a new home/town near their shared border. Even promise to sign an agreement that they will help reclaim their lost land in Morrowind from the Argonians with their legions. And all Morrowind has to do is to help fight the Thalmor and bolster the Legion's fighting force.

And with all that, the Empire may have a fighting chance.

Sorry if there are serious holes in my reasoning. This was mostly just for fun!

So what do y'all think?