I've got a Darksteel Foil Hat theory.

The Ishgardians are in Leauge (For most, unknowingly) with Garlemauld.

The Garlens attacked Silver Tear Lake (Which they'd need to pass through Ishgaurd to get too) and THE DRAVANIANS showed up with the Wyrm King Midgaurdsourmer to defend the Primal's Seal.

Ishgaurd on the otherhand has refused to fight the Garlens twice because of the "Dragon Wars" but never can explain WHY the dragons hate them.

I think the Ishgaurdians want something from Dravania be it magic artifacts, allage Tech (Like what the allage controled dragons with), or maybe just gold and other cliched treasures. So the Garlens said "Keep the Dragons bussy while we take out the other city states, then we'll give you the allage dragon slave tech and take Dravania by force." and The Archbishop of Ishgaurd bought it hook line and sinker not expecting the Garlens to loose three more times.

Long Story short I beleive the "Dragon Wars" are a cover up for a hidden agenda that only The Archbishop and the Asians (considering Lahabrea and Elidibues were by his throne) are aware of.