Did you mean "less of a challenge" there? I can't see any plausible way in which all eight Titans are done by December 31st under the current rules and balancing.
Probably less of a challenge. I wish I could point to a statement where they wanted to have this war end by the end of the year, so possibly just ended as soon as possible. Sort of like FD knows this constant battle mode, while it inspired lots of players to join in and push the Thargoids back and eventually defeat them, may lead to burnout with a number of players.
If this were an actual war, we'd fight to the death because the alternative wouldn't be a lot of fun for the survivors. It's a game, and burnout happens. Real Life (damn it to hell) does stick its ugly nose into our business and demands attention.
Oya is already considerably tougher than Hadad, and probably at least a little trickier than Thor (though with slightly better spire positioning). If it wasn't for the massive work already put into Oya by local player groups to keep it as small as it is, it wouldn't be the obvious next choice.
(Attacking all six remaining ones at once would probably just lead to a stalemate somewhere around the 20 LY line and most of them still on Maximum DR)
Based on your usually accurate estimates, I see your point. If FD wanted to end this by year's end, it's possible that the Thargoids may sue for peace with two or three Titans left. Maybe they'll become part of Power Play. Or maybe they'll scoot over to the COL 70 Sector and hide out there.
Or the Guardian AI may show up and demonstrate how easy it was for them to be destroyed by a professional exterminator. And while we applaud the result, the AI looks at us wondering what we're doing with their sufz stuck in our ships and how it got into HIP 22460. I'm sure it'll be a big misunderstanding. Salvation? Don't even know the guy.
I guess FD can "influence" the war's progress if they wish. Personally, now that we have the tools and process I'd prefer they
not tip the scales for us; just let us players do this thing.
And if it rolls past the end of the year, so be it. The next big update doesn't come out until near the end of the year. Plenty of time for us to win.