I for one like the idea of the 5 neutral nations. There is the issue about the Harad & Corsairs being so powerful that played properly they can be very difficult to beat to 1st place but then again that is just one of those things. In the books these nations were self serving. Although when they did join in the wars they usually weren't to friendly with the free peoples. Harad and Corsairs did not always get involved in the wars of middle earth and when they did it was because they either hated the Dunadan or to fight against an oppressor -sometimes at the suggestion of Sauron. The Easterling's attacked Rhovanion and NG because they were a nomadic people forced out of the east by wars.
Personally I don't see why they have been dropped as a nation in some of these one off games. Ok so your nation is split in two and the northern half is under threat from both the FP and Ds but in the south you have a great base with plenty of room for development. This is where diplomacy is very important. I have played this position a couple of times now and joined both allegiances. Attacking the DS is great fun especially when the Cloud Lord leaves his capital totally undefended!! The damage you can do with HC loose in Mordor can totally undermine the Nazgul and if well co-ordinated with a FP attack through the Teeth or the Ithil pass then it can be very nasty. Of course get the diplomacy wrong or don't prepare properly then you can lose half your kingdom very quickly.
Even then the game isn't over though.
While its nice to win games( not that I've won many) the point is this is a team game. If you don't work out relationships with your team and the neutrals then it doesn't matter how good you or your nation are, you can't win the game on your own. Diplomacy especially with the neutrals is a major part of the game. Sending notes especially misleading ones i.e. sending the Rhudaur a note from the Cardolan that they must declare on turn 3 or face the consequences, when you are playing the Dog Lord is one of the fun aspects. Especially when Dendra gets a call from a Enion to tell you he will be marching on Cardolan imminently!! Dodgy maybe but perfectly legitimate. Having said that I'm all for ganging up on a neutral who decides to declare on turn 30 when the game is nearly up just so they can win.
Cheers
Damien