I think its interesting! I'm not going to comment about it much here to avoid spoilers. However, but it may definitely add to the stress and dysfunction between the horde and alliance!

I've got a good source who spoiled that for me...all I'll say is wait. It's VERY cool, in my opinion.

Thrall seems to have a major blind-spot in Garrosh. He might leave it to him in the hope that he'll 'grow into it'.

As Possum says, Thrall has a major blind spot where Garrosh is concerned; it's my belief that this is due to survivor guilt because of Grom's death in front of him. Thrall also had a major blind spot where Grom was concerned; it's my belief that *that* was because Grom was his blood-brother, and Thrall had (at that point, and still has) very little in the way of family figures, since Taretha got killed in front of him. Thrall is unable to function rationally where the Hellscreams are concerned - he acts as if his adopted family is beyond censure, when the rest of us are all waiting for Saurfang to beat some sense into Garrosh with his axe.

This is entirely speculation, but, I think the answer is in the article. Thrall is a good, level-headed, calm, intelligent being... so he can come to reasonable conclusions and act carefully. This isn't the best way though to change the minds of Orcs. I think Thrall may recognize that he's done as much as he could do by carving out a new home, freedom and security for the Orcs. Now that the Orcs are established as a power and have decent relations with the rest of the races, they need a strong, charismatic leader that they can rally behind. Thrall isn't that Orc, however, like it or not, Garrosh could be. He certainly brooks no insubordination, has a very 'lively' personality and strongly outspoken opinions.

The greatest test of a leader is being able to step down when they are no longer effective, and I think Thrall may have realized that the Orcs need a different kind of leader now.

As far as Garrosh's rise to power and the relationship with Jaina, it would most likely be ruined, thus explaining the balista's on the bridge of Theramore.

My prediction for the Orc leadership scenario. The orcs were enslaved by the Legion, ensorcelled by a demon lord, and conditioned for decades to be merciless berserkers. They've only been free of that a relatively short time, so of course, alot of that warmonger attitude is still going to present itself. (and by the way, if we're pointing fingers, why blame Thrall who's trying his damnedest for peace DESPITE all of that, when Varian, who's people are quite impassive in comparison, is trying HIS damnedest to cause conflict? Declaring genocidal intent is no way to make friends, your highness.) Anyway, it's apparent that, yes, Thrall's diplomatic ways are lost on his people due to this nature. And it's been speculated in past KYLs that there may be growing discontent in Thrall among the orcs and they may want Garrosh and his warmongering ways to take over. But then they'll find out that what they THINK think maybe not be what they ACTUALLY want, and definitely not what they NEED. My personal prediction holds to this. Thrall is going off to be the next Guardian of Tirisfal and leaves Garrosh in charge. Much rejoicing among the more rowdy orcs. He quickly sets out to pick a fight with everything that moves, as we've seen so far from the beta. But this causes alot of problems. Despite what alot of them think of themselves, the orcs aren't the killing machines they were. Garrosh's brand of wholesale slaughter has no place in the Horde anymore. Plus the whole fact that he puts all of his resources into the military machine and then spreads it too thin. As we saw in the Soviet Union, when you forsake everything, such as infrastructure, in favor of military power, and try to take on too many fights, you're going to collapse. As the expansion progresses, he's going to get worse and worse until the end when something disastrous is going to happen. Maybe Orgrimmar falls under attack, and Garrosh abandons his post in the middle of the crisis to go fight Deathwing one on one. If he's lucky, he'd die right then. Ideally, WE'LL get to fight him and put him in his place. But more likely, he'll fail and be critically injured (and a group of 10 to 25 brave heroes will have to do the job). Then when he returns to the throne to resume leading, the people will be fed up. Thrall will show up to tell Garrosh what's what and smack his punk ass down. Then he'll leave someone else, more deserving, in charge. I'm looking at you, Saurfang. Think about it, he's perfect. A proven veteran of all three wars, plus the wars in Ahn'Qiraj and Northrend. And he's a prefect blend of the Thrall's patience and diplomacy and the glory and honor of the general orcish ways. And I hear his tears can cure cancer. Except he's never cried. (Oh, except when he collects his son's body. [We named him Dranosh.])

So that's my two cents. Just my personal predictions of hopes for what the expansion brings on that front. I meant to go into how I hoped a similar situation occurs on the Alliance side between Varian and Anduin, but I got kind of longwinded there.

Oh and on one last note: Have you seen Garrosh's new model? He looks like a friggin Frankenstein monster! PLEEEEASE say we get to beat him up!

@Drakhen I agree with the most part of what you said, except that I think varian is a good leader despite his extremeness and I think he's got the potential, especially if there is some romance going on with jaina and then It's going to be an awesome couple to lead the alliance, with young anduin at their side.

and also, I HIGHLGY doubt that thrall will be the next guardian because their is already a guardian: Med'an, Medivh and Garona's son, who looks like a reeeaaaally strong fella. however, jaina once offered thrall to be on the council of tirisfal, so it's likely that this is what he's going to do. just not be the guardian. either that or work with the earthen ring.

"We haven't seen the exact circumstances of Garrosh's rise to power AFAIK."

Now that the NDA has been lifted, perhaps I can enlighten you... I will try to keep the spoilers to a minimum though, while still explaining what I can.

In the new Troll starting area, when you finish the quests and are about to be sent to Durotar proper, you are shown an image of Thrall, and he explains that the recent Cataclysm has forced him to leave his post as Warchief. The reason he left Garrosh in charge is because the Horde as a whole (though not neccesarily Horde players) WANT Garrosh to be in charge. They idolize him. So, Thrall is giving them what they want, for good or ill. And when his task is done, he will return to reclaim his title. By force if neccesary...