The Iron Hills, the most powerful kingdom in Wilderland?

[goldfinger]

While reading through appendix A, I found on page 1052, first paragraph, this bit of info about the Iron Hills:

"Among many cares he (Gandalf) was troubled in mind by the perilous state of the North; because he knew then already that Sauron was plotting war, and intended, as soon as he felt strong enough, to attack Rivendell. But to resist any attempt from the East to regain the lands of Angmar and the Northern passes in the mountains there were now only the Dwarves of the Iron Hills."

This text leads me to believe then, that the Iron Hills was the strongest kingdom in Wilderland after the taking of Erebor by Smaug. For Thorin said himself when he was talking to Roac the raven about sending messengers "But go specially to my cousin Dain in the Iron Hills, for he has many people well-armed".

Just thought I would share this interesting info.