Well, Talerium is turning out to be terrifically fun to play in so far, even without the thoughts of war. And there are a few little subplots starting. It will take time.
Hopefully players will start to roleplay a bit more, make new plots & relationships, counter cultures, and then...figure out ways to pick at The Empire. Perhaps something like the the Roman Empire vs. the constant barbarian threats & Senate plots.
It will sort itself out, if the leaders give players enough freedom to experiment a little