I think this is the big underlying factor. No matter who wins, someone is going to either end up fighting their undead kid or their undead father/brother figure. They win the airship race only to see Arthas has corrupted a loved one.

Although no information was given in the trailer, the Official site says this:

I think that's about as much as we're gonna get until beta, considering they specifically locked out the level 1-5 bracket at Blizzcon. One month world event for Cataclysm sounds interesting. I wonder if we'll see a gradual development in some zones? ie.
Week 1: Alliance begins assaulting Camp Taurajo
Week 2: Alliance begins constructing fortifications
Week 3: Fully populated quest hub with Flight Path and NPC's.

It'd be nice to take advantage of this kind of technology for zones like Desolace which would otherwise go from Barren to lush overnight. I guess the real question is, who would see it? I can't imagine they'd actually go to that much effort when people will be busy killing Arthas and stuff.

Well, it's not like we'll all be spending 24/7 inside Icecrown.

As far as Alliance owning Camp Taurajo, I'm kind of caught by surprise. It seems like the most out-of-the-way spot in The Barrens for the Alliance to lay siege to and capture. The closest Alliance base is Bael Modan... a place that low level Horde get quests to thoroughly trash. Other than that, Alliance forces would have to pass by a number or other Horde outposts to get to Taurajo, and even if they were to advance from Bael Modan, I don't see how they would get reinforcements unless Theramore's neutrality was compromised.

I would imagine that Theramore ends up becoming a staging ground for Varian's forces regardless of Jaina's feelings (which for all we know change). It may seem like a strange place to attack but it is right next to the border of Mulgore giving a staging spot for attacks which also explains the huge tauren wall at the border now. I'd imagine we will see other Alliance camps near Durotar also.

Depending on the geographical changes, Taurajo would seem to be a very strategic position that would be worth the risk, especially to an aggressive type like Varian, to try to take and hold despite logistical difficulties in getting supplies there after the fact. It is in a spot where they could relatively lock the Taurens into Mulgore, which would make the zeppelin connection to Durotar all that more important. In addition it could act to inhibit the horde's easier land access to the southern zones of Kalimdor (lorewise, probably not so much playwise).

I agree that it would make the most sense if Theramore gets dragged into it. Northwatch Hold is also not very far from Taurajo and could see a revival itself, and Taurajo's location would also inhibit horde access to Dustwallow which could be a security reason they would want to take and hold it. It would also seem to fit with an overall theme of Expansionism, albeit for security rather than resources, that to this point we've seen more in what the horde have been doing in terms of taking over the other faction's bases. Certainly seeing what's going to happen in Ashenvale it would be a very real concern to the alliance to try and protect their current holdings on Kalimdor as best they can.

It makes sense to me, as it's directly parallel to Northwatch Hold, providing a perfect choke point across the center of the (Southern) Barrens. Or is Northwatch considered destroyed/vacant according to Horde quest lore?

The status texts for The Guns of Northwatch would imply that it is cleared out, in so far as there is now the "grim task of retrieving bodies." This seems to be more a case of it now being vacant than destroyed, and as such could be the landing spot of the alliance expeditionary force.

I can't find early map of revamped Old world. With Thousand Needles flooded is there going to be direct ship access to Great Lift? That can explain huge alliance presence in The Barrens, while maintaining Theramore's neutrality.

One thing to remember, Wrynn isn't necessarily the one reclaiming Camp Taurajo. As far as I can remember, Dwarf and Night Elf soldiers are closest to Camp Taurajo. Don't blame Wrynn for everything the Alliance does.

Also, we don't really know what's happening politically with the Night Elves. I think it's a reasonable assumption we'll see some developments between the Staghelm/Tyrande rift going on. Especially with the re-emergence of the Highborne. (Also, on that train of thought, doesn't the Highborne quest/npc mention they're from Eldre'thalas? -- which is reasonably positioned near Camp Taurajo as well).

On that note, what will happen to the Quillboar? And for that matter, Amenaar the Coldbringer (I mean lore-wise...).

Thousand Needles being 'flooded' can just mean that Shimmering Flats is now a lake again and there is a river going from there to Feralas.

Howdy, first time posting, this thread being to blame for my registration.

On to things that matter: it might be a stretchy thought, but I was under the impression that the "burning" of camp Taurajo (myabe because of the term "burn") had been caused by the Cataclysm, either a lava surge or an attack by the Twilight's Hammer or some black dragon (not "Blackwing Greatfather" itself). The blue post said the camp had been burned and an Alliance base had been erected. It doesn't actually reference an attack.

Though an offensive by Varian & His Muchachos does seem reasonable, there is the Theramore factor to consider. A second failure to prevent an Alliance attack by Jaina (after what happened with her father) might definitely burry her status as the closest thing to a human friend the Horde has. And without Thrall on the wheel - worse, with him being replaced by Garrosh - it could very well mean there'll be no one to at least attemp some kind of meeting or parlay.