Covert Opening Moves of the War of the Ring

The Conflict

Deployment

As for the overt military plans, the Blue Wizards would be sent to organize the revolts in Mordor's allies. The Easterlings and the Southrons would be the biggest targets for this. As attacking Mordor is too far off at this point and too well protected, attempting a slave revolt in Nurn would not be feasible despite its logic. The Corsairs also have some logic to them as targets. But they are less of a military threat, and only to Gondor. Switching the Southrons isolates the Corsairs. And provides a land force to strike both the Corsairs and Mordor. The Corsairs do not have a land force able to penetrate Mordor. Thus, the wizard sent to the south would focus on the Southrons and could use slaves captured by Umbar to pursue a secondary objective of provoking slave revolts there. As the Ring Wraiths operate in all of these areas, it is likely that Mordor would sooner or later discover what is going on. Hence how the Mouth of Sauron would be able to locate them and deliver the rings.

The Engagement

Then there is Saruman. Isengard would go full out in the same tactics we see in the books and movies. Worm tongue would be sent to subvert Rohan while the Wild Men are incited to attack. But this would eventually be discovered and countered by Gandalf. Naturally, the White Council would know of Saruman's betrayal. Due to geography, they would be able to easily monitor the region quite well and notice changes in Theoden's leadership. After all, Lothlorien would most likely have official diplomatic relations with Rohan, even if the other powers of the White Council would not. Then there would be the issue of they know full well that geography also makes Rohan the obvious target for any aggressive actions by Isengard. Gandalf would be sent back after his death and naturally would be interested in rooting out Saruman's influence. This would lead to the discovery of the infiltration and its defeat. But it is likely to have some effects, possibly in the form of a loss of legitimacy for the government and delayed mobilization.