Unveiling Grand Admiral Thrawn's Potential Strategies: 8 Weaknesses within the New Republic & Hero Forces

Article Overview

Thrawn thrives on exploiting weaknesses, using personal history, culture, and art against his adversaries, which makes him a frightening threat to the galaxy.

The New Republic's vulnerabilities and hubris, along with their lack of authority in the Outer Rim, make them even more susceptible to the imminent threat of Thrawn. Thrawn has the ability to exploit weaknesses such as Imperial infiltrators, the background of Grogu, the facial scan of Din Djarin, and the ongoing reconstruction of Mandalore, effectively diminishing his adversaries' strength in combat.

Grand Admiral Thrawn has made a triumphant comeback to the Star Wars universe, bringing with him the promise of a galaxy-wide conflict. After being stranded in another galaxy for nine years or more with Ezra Bridger, Thrawn is determined to establish himself once again in a post-war galaxy. His strategy involves leveraging the weaknesses of his adversaries, which he uncovers by delving into their personal history, culture, art, and more.

Despite the strength demonstrated by the heroes of the New Republic in Star Wars, even they possess personal vulnerabilities. Characters like Din Djarin and Grogu from The Mandalorian, as well as Ahsoka Tano, face the risk of losing something important in a confrontation with Thrawn. This amplifies the threat he poses to the galaxy, particularly when compounded by the New Republic's weaknesses and arrogance. The vulnerability of the galaxy is apparent, especially considering the sheer intellect and fear factor possessed by someone like Thrawn. Here, we explore eight weaknesses that Thrawn can exploit within the New Republic's government and its heroes.

8. Imperial Moles In The Amnesty Program

The Mandalorian Season 3

In season 3 of The Mandalorian, the New Republic introduced the Amnesty Program, which aimed to give former Imperials a fresh start after the Empire's downfall. However, Elia Kane's actions revealed that the Empire still had undercover agents within the program. She sabotaged Doctor Penn Pershing's cloning research and deterred the New Republic from assisting Nevarro, demonstrating their ability to operate secretly. With Moff Gideon defeated, Elia could now exclusively serve Thrawn, along with any other infiltrators in the Amnesty Program.

7. The New Republic’s Lack Of Control In The Outer Rim

The Mandalorian & Ahsoka

The leaders of the New Republic have made their indifference towards the Outer Rim apparent, or perhaps they simply prioritize assisting the planets in closer proximity before addressing matters in the Outer Rim. The inhabitants of the Outer Rim are well aware of this situation and actually prefer it. Even Din Djarin himself dubbed the New Republic a "joke" in The Mandalorian, while Greef Karga has shown disinterest in making Nevarro an official part of the New Republic. Thrawn, on the other hand, could easily gain the loyalty of the Outer Rim by demonstrating even the slightest bit more concern for their well-being than the New Republic does. Alternatively, he could bide his time and remain concealed in this region until he is fully prepared to emerge and engage in battle.

6. Hera Syndulla Having A Son

Ahsoka Season 1

Hera Syndulla's extensive history of battling against Thrawn in Star Wars Rebels made her a well-known figure to him. If Thrawn were to discover the existence of Jacen Syndulla, the son she had with Kanan Jarrus, it would provide him with a convenient leverage against her. Thrawn had previously exploited Hera's family connections and cultural ties when he possessed her family's Kalikori, a relic that held great significance and meaning to the Syndulla clan. He anticipated that Hera would be motivated to retrieve it. Now, with Jacen being one of the few remaining tangible reminders of Kanan in Hera's life, Thrawn could potentially target him as a means to weaken Hera during their ongoing battle.

5. Grogu’s History In The Inquisitorial Database

Ahsoka Season 1

Ahsoka has confirmed that Thrawn possesses access to the Inquisitorial database. Through this access, he acquired detailed information about Ahsoka Tano, including the fact that Anakin Skywalker was her former master. It is plausible, then, to assume that Thrawn has the ability to do something similar for Grogu, by searching for him in the same database. This search could uncover vulnerabilities in Grogu that Thrawn could exploit. Both Grogu and his adoptive father, Din, could be targeted since Din has limited knowledge about Grogu's past, other than the fact that he received training at the Jedi Temple. Considering the amount of trauma Grogu has already experienced, any information Thrawn uncovers could be detrimental for this Mandalorian apprentice.

4. Din Djarin’s Imperial Facial Scan

The Mandalorian Season 2

Though the destruction of the Imperial facility on Morak by Migs Mayfeld in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 7,

3. Mandalore’s Rebuilding & Din Djarin Connections

it is highly probable that the scan of Din's face still exists within the Imperial network, waiting to be discovered by Thrawn. In the event that Thrawn manages to trace back the scan to Din, perhaps by identifying those who sought access to the coordinates of Moff Gideon's light cruiser on Morak during that period, he could exploit the permanent scan of Din's face to his advantage. The Mandalorian Creed is as sacred to Din as Grogu, and should Thrawn threaten to release this scan in a manner that would irreversibly tarnish Din's honor, it has the potential to utterly destroy him.

The Mandalorian Season 3

In the Mandalorian season 3 finale, Mandalore finally begins the process of reclaiming its former glory after enduring devastation from the Empire in previous years. However, the return of Thrawn to the galaxy poses a significant threat to this progress. Thrawn's base of operations on Dathomir is located in close proximity to Mandalore, and if he learns of Din's involvement with the New Republic, he could exploit Din's connection to Mandalore to justify taking action against the planet. This would serve to inflict suffering on both Din and the New Republic. Furthermore, the revelation of the Imperial Shadow Council in season 3 of The Mandalorian means that Thrawn, now their leader, may accord greater importance to their collective fear of Mandalore in the future.

2. The New Republic’s Hesitance To Fight

Ahsoka Season 1

In Ahsoka, it becomes apparent during Hera's discussions with the New Republic senate that their weariness of prolonged conflict leads them to avoid it altogether, irrespective of any possible drawbacks. Rather than taking the cautious approach of adequately preparing for the potential return of their greatest threat, they prefer to hinder Hera's efforts to investigate by restraining the allocation of resources. Conversely, Thrawn's reappearance revitalizes him, with no hesitation to engage in combat if necessary. Given Thrawn's tactical expertise, it is logical to infer that he will craft targeted offensives throughout the galaxy to further exhaust the already beleaguered New Republic.

1. Mon Mothma’s Fear Of Grand Admiral Thrawn

Ahsoka Season 1

Following her court hearing, Hera was approached by Mon Mothma to assess the actual possibility of Thrawn's resurgence, and fear laced her voice as she inquired. The New Republic Chancellor's apprehension towards Thrawn presents a glaring vulnerability, empowering him even before he initiates any assaults. With her involvement in the Rebellion, Mon Mothma is well-acquainted with Thrawn and desires to evade encountering the Grand Admiral once more. Now that Thrawn has permanently returned to the Star Wars universe, he can exploit Mon Mothma's trepidation to his advantage, potentially proposing actions that will consistently grant him the benefit of doubt as he withholds certain attacks.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn to the Star Wars universe. Thrawn is a brilliant strategist who is able to exploit the weaknesses of his adversaries. In the article, the author identifies eight weaknesses that Thrawn can exploit within the New Republic's government and its heroes.

I agree with the author that the New Republic's Amnesty Program is a potential weakness that Thrawn can exploit. The program is designed to give former Imperials a fresh start, but it is clear that some of these former Imperials are still loyal to the Empire. Thrawn could use these infiltrators to sabotage the New Republic from within.

I also agree with the author that the New Republic's indifference towards the Outer Rim is a potential weakness that Thrawn can exploit. The Outer Rim is home to many planets that are still recovering from the Galactic Civil War. Thrawn could easily gain the loyalty of these planets by demonstrating even the slightest bit more concern for their well-being than the New Republic does.