The Desolation

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Rhod the Red

They were.

Read the Unfinished Tales chapter on the Quest for Erebor and you'll see his intentions are geo-political.

Gandalf had motives other than helping Thorin, yes, and he was open about that in the chapter you mention. However, it was Thorin who sought out Gandalf for help, not the reverse. That's a critical distinction.