The United Earth Empire:
The United Earth Empire was the originator of the galaxy’s space colonies. Formally known as the United Nations, the United Nations of Earth was formed after humans had first colonized Mars. Originally developed to unite humanity against possible hostile extraterrestrials, humanity encountered few alien species, even fewer of which were intelligent. With no need to worry about possible alien attacks, the UNE was free to focus on rapid expansionism, and slowly restructured into and subsequently renamed the United Earth Empire, as international differences became less and less important when compared to planetary and systemwide differences. After the Fall, the shattered remains of the UEE were quick to regroup and reclaimed the majority of the former empire's core worlds with little difficulty. Now the largest power in the galaxy, the UEE is known for its patriotism and powerful infrastructure, despite the presence of an unusually large number of corrupt officials and rather sluggish bureaucracy.
The Coalition for a Free Galaxy:
The Coalition for a Free Galaxy, better known as just 'The Coalition', was formed shortly after the Fall as a group of colonies' desire to stay separate from the UEE. A loosely tied confederacy of worlds, the Coalition's movement has picked up a large number of worlds and systems to rally against the imperialism, rigidness and oppressive nature of the UEE. Due to the fact that they are allied purely to combat against the UEE, competition and rivalries are common between the Coalition Nations, and infighting, competition and power struggles are a common occurrence. Despite this, their armed forces are able to remain mostly standardized and advanced thanks to the large number of powerful companies and manufacturers seeking the rampant free economy of the Coalition and as a result is well equipped to combat the UEE. Well known for their individualism and support commercialism and the free market- bordering on, if not outright anarcho-capitalism, the Coalition is constantly trying to dismantle the UEE once and for all- or at least sell everyone the weapons with which to do it with.
The Krellian Diktat:
Very little is known about the Krellian Diktat. They are a reclusive group of fringe world colonies, or those in rather inhospitable nebulas and dangerous debris fields, and were paid little attention to by both the UEE and Coalition. With their proximity to the edge of discovered space, it is believed there is a possibility for them to be in contact with intelligent extraterrestrials, though this notion is widely dismissed as untrue by both the Coalition and UEE. With the Krellian Diktat being so far removed from contested space, the galaxy has yet to see any semblence of the Krellian military outside of admittedly well armed and surprisingly advanced local defense forces and mercenaries, and many wonder if the Krellians even possess a standing armed force.
The Free-Enterprise Zone:
The Free-Enterprise Zone is a narrow(relatively speaking) region of contested space caught between the main battle lines of the Coalition and UEE forces. Squalor and poverty are high in this region, as occupying powers regularly take resources from these planets to help refuel and resupply their forces. Furthermore, the high corruption and crime rates in these zones typically consolidates most of the remaining power and wealth in the hands of political puppets, petty governors and local magistrates. As a result, the FEZ has become a hotspot for piracy and mercenary groups. However, their are a rare few systems that are safe harbors and 'neutral' zones with their own standing- albeit small and technologically inferior- militaries, and in these places, men and women of Coalition and UEE backgrounds alike often rub shoulders, and can even be cordial with one another.
Neutral States:
The catch-all term for smaller nations and powers not aligned with any of the major powers. Most of these neutral states are fairly small- usually a few planets, at most a few systems in size- many located within the FEZ, though some find themselves in Coalition or UEE occupied space. This is typically by design, as at their largest they're not big enough to warrant a major threat to any of the major powers and don't face retaliation or potential war, but at the same time are strong enough that annexing them would often be more trouble than its worth. As a result, most citizens from neutral states range from indifferent to outright hostile of foreign powers, generally refusing communications and aid to anyone that enters their borders except for the purposes of trade. This porcupine like neutrality is typically seen as their way of keeping either major power from perceiving them as helping the enemy. That being said, due to the nature of the Coalition, many believe that most of the neutral states at least tacitly support the Coalition.