I came to this conclusion after (honestly, just a little) thinking on the topic.

Firstly, it would make the outcome of the Civil War a moot point. Obviously, it's going to be awkward as hell and just impossible to keep Skyrim under the control of either the Nords or the Empire. This way, no matter the result of the Civil War that the player chooses, TES VI would make sense. It's better than just forgetting about Skyrim.

Second, it would really make the Thalmor look like the ultimate bad guys. They need proof of their power, so how's about taking away the beacon of Mankind: Their homeland. It makes sense.

I think that this would work really well in the next game, where the Thalmor are without a doubt the bad guys.

It's just a short, quick thread. I know. But share your opinions regardless!

i hope all this thalmor yadda yadda is in the past, it's just stupid

so the next game should be in the future far enough for anything the thalmor do, to not even be worth mentioning

What...? ._.

The Thalmor are one of the most interesting protagonists in TES, in my opinion.

Plus the setup they've been given...?

. Reanessance of Summerset (Alinor)
. Taking of Valenwood
. Taking of Elswyre
. Attempt to force Empire to give them Hammefell
. Invasion of Hammerfell
. Invasion of Cyrodiil
. The Great War
. Decimation of the Empire.
. Banning of Talos worship
. ATTEMPTING TO DESTROY REALITY

The list goes on. I don't get you at all...

Also, because of the Thalmor, there won't be a future for the next game to be set 'really far away' unless they are stopped.

Totally ignorant to the lore, are we?

It doesn't sound like the Thalmor have much overt control over the province, and they're not popular. The dossiers you pick up at their embassy indicate they'd rather leave Skyrim in a civil war situation because it's a drain on the Empire. They'd probably install a puppet government, assuming Skyrim doesn't devolve into factional infighting, but I don't see them stepping up to take control of much.