Astropolitics

Astropolitics (used interchangeably with Interstellar Geopolitics or just Geopolitics) examines how the interstellar geography of the Orion Arm influences nations and their interactions. It serves as a framework for analyzing foreign policy, using astrographical factors to interpret, explain, and anticipate political behavior on an interstellar scale. Heavily rooted in the concept of political power, this field of study provides a foundation for analyzing nations at the international level.

In the Cold War-dominated final years of the 23rd century, astropolitics is defined in near totality by the four-way struggle between the Orion Treaty Organization, Axis Powers, Communist Interstellar, and Co-Prosperity Sphere, with non-participant nations largely consolidated into the Non-Aligned Movement. These interstellar blocs are led by the United States, German Reich, Soviet Union, and Japan respectively, the four superpowers, and made up of lesser Great Powers, Regional Powers, Middle Powers, and Small Powers.

While nation-states remain the primary actors driving astropolitics, an increasing percentage of countries are now considered satellite states to varying degrees within the larger strategic competition. Proxy wars are widespread across the Orion Arm, rooted in local conflicts fueled and escalated by the interests of the superpowers or nations within their respective blocs. The increased interconnectivity across the Arm also enables actions taken by megacorporations, non-state entities, and sometimes even individuals to potentially shape astropolitics, igniting chains of events that can escalate far beyond their original scope.

As a consequence, the traditional state-centric order of the post-evacuation era is evolving. International organizations like the League of Nations, megacorporations, and non-state actors increasingly compete with nation-states for influence, a development often described as a form of new-medievalism. Many megacorporations, and some non-state actors, command greater resources than middle or small powers, further blurring the lines that once clearly defined interstellar politics.

Superpowers

See Also: Potential Superpowers

Superpower describes a sovereign state that holds a dominant position, characterized by the ability to exert influence and project power across the Orion Arm. They excel in every component of state power: demographic, economic, military, technological, political, and cultural strength, as well as diplomatic and soft power. Traditionally, superpowers are preeminent among the great powers. While other states are able to project power across the Orion Arm, the influence of the superpowers is so significant that no major action can be taken by the international community without first considering their positions.

State Flag	Common and Formal Names	Membership Within the League of Nations	International Organization Membership	Legacy Nation	Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
	United States – United States of America	Member State Security Council	Orion Treaty Organization United Americas	Yes
	Soviet Union – Union of Soviet Socialist Republics	Member State Security Council	Communist Interstellar Arusha Pact	Yes	The Soviet Union claims, but does not control, the planetary systems governed by the Intermarium.
	German Reich – Greater German Reich	Member State Security Council	Axis Powers	Yes
	Japan – Empire of Japan	Member State Security Council	Co-Prosperity Sphere Axis Powers (Observer Status)	Yes

Criteria For Inclusion: The methodology for classifying nations as Superpowers, as outlined in this document, combines established criteria with the Champlain Group's proprietary analysis, incorporating both historical and contemporary qualifications. These include; extensive astropolitical influence, significant military capabilities with interstellar operational reach, a robust and diversified economy, and advanced technological prowess. Strong diplomatic and cultural influence is also considered. In recognition of the paramount role that interstellar territories play modern power dynamics, the number of undisputed territorial claims on star systems is also considered. Note: Supranational Unions are not considered superpowers under this framework.

Great Powers

See Also: Potential Great Powers

Great power describes a sovereign state that maintains a major, sustained capacity to influence astropolitics and project power across multiple regions of the Orion Arm. Great powers possess broad capabilities across the core components of state power: demographic, economic, military, technological, political, and cultural, reinforced by effective diplomacy and soft power. Within their spheres of interest, great powers can easily shape outcomes, but generally require partners to coerce or deter a superpower. In the modern phase of the Cold War, they form the backbone of major alliances and act as principal balancers within the international system.

State Flag	Common and Formal Names	Membership Within the League of Nations	International Organization Membership	Legacy Nation	Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
	East Africa – East African Federation	Member State Security Council	Communist Interstellar Arusha Pact African Union	Yes
	Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil	Member State Security Council	Non-Aligned Movement Union of South American States	Yes
	West Africa – Confederation of West African States	Member State Security Council	Orion Treaty Organization African Union	Yes
	France – French Republic	Member State Security Council	Orion Treaty Organization	Yes
	Italy – Italian Social Republic	Member State Security Council	Axis Powers Pact of Rome	Yes
	China – Republic of China	Member State Security Council	Co-Prosperity Sphere	Yes	Competes with the Chinese SSR for recognition as the legitimate Chinese Government.
	India – Republic of India	Member State Security Council	Non-Aligned Movement Commonwealth of Nations	Yes
	Intermarium – Międzymorze Commonwealth	Member State	Non-Aligned Movement	No	Competes with the Soviet Union for recognition as the successor government to several former Eastern European states.
	Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia	Member State Security Council	Co-Prosperity Sphere	Yes
	Pacific America - Pacific States of America	Member State	Orion Treaty Organization United Americas	Yes
	Abyssinia – Imperial State of Ethiopia	Member State Security Council	Horn of Africa	Yes
	Türkiye – Republic of Türkiye	Member State Security Council		Yes
	Spain – Spanish State	Member State Security Council	Axis Powers	Yes
	U.A.R. – United Arab Republic	Member State Security Council	Non-Aligned Movement African Union	Yes
	Alpha Centauri – United Centauri Republic	Member State	African Union Solar Treaty Organization	No
	Great Britain – United Kingdom	Member State Security Council	Orion Treaty Organization Commonwealth of Nations	Yes

Regional Powers

See Also: Regional Alliances & Coalitions

Regional power describes a sovereign state whose influence and ability to project power are concentrated primarily within a specific region of the Orion Arm. Regional powers may not possess the full range of capabilities of great powers, but they maintain significant strength across major components of state power. Within their region, they can exercise coercive influence over neighbors, though their ability to act independently on the Arm-wide stage is limited. In the Cold War system, regional powers are often aligned with superpowers or great powers, though some have entered into independent coalitions. They serve as pivotal actors in local contests and as critical partners within larger alliances.

State Flag	Common and Formal Names	Membership Within the League of Nations	International Organization Membership	Legacy Nation	Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
	Acadia – Federation of Acadia	Member State	Orion Treaty Organization	No
	Argentina – Argentine Republic	Member State	Axis Powers (Observer Status)	Yes
	Australasia – Commonwealth of Australasia	Member State	Orion Treaty Organization Commonwealth of Nations	Yes
	Aurelia – Federation of Aurelia	Member State		No
	Bulgaria-Romania – Union of Bulgaria and Romania	Member State	Axis Powers	Yes	Competes with the Bulgarian and Romanian SSRs for recognition as a legitimate successor government.
	Chari-Makasa – Solidarité of Chari-Makasa	Member State	Fourth International	No
	Chile – Republic of Chile	Member State	Union of South American States	Yes
	Gran Colombia – Republic of Gran Colombia	Member State	Union of South American States	Yes
	Cuba – People's Federation of Cuba	Member State	Communist Interstellar Arusha Pact	Yes
	Hungary – National Republic of Hungary	Member State	Axis Powers	Yes
	Korea – Republic of Korea	Member State	Co-Prosperity Sphere	No
	Manchuria – Empire of Great Manchuria	Member State	Co-Prosperity Sphere	Yes
	Mexico – United Mexican States	Member State		Yes
	Pakistan – Islamic Federation of Pakistan	Member State	Non-Aligned Movement	Yes
	The Philippines – Commonwealth of the Philippines	Member State	Orion Treaty Organization	Yes
	Portugal – Portuguese National Federation	Member State	Axis Powers	Yes
	Sirius – Sirius Federation	Member State	African Union Solar Treaty Organization	No
	Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden	Member State	Federal Nordic Cooperative	Yes
	Tau Ceti – United Provinces of Tau Ceti	Member State	African Union Solar Treaty Organization	No
	Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand	Member State	Co-Prosperity Sphere	Yes
	Republican Vega – Democratic Republic of Vega	Member State	Communist Interstellar Arusha Pact African Union	No
	Federal Vega – Federal Union of Vega	Member State	Axis Powers African Union	No
	Vietnam – Empire of Vietnam	Member State	Co-Prosperity Sphere	Yes

Middle Powers

Middle power describes a sovereign state with limited capacity to project power beyond its immediate region, yet sufficient resources and stability to exert meaningful influence in international affairs. Middle powers do not rival great or regional powers in comprehensive strength, but may maintain niche advantages such as economic specialization, diplomatic networks, or cultural influence that allow them to shape outcomes disproportionate to their size. They may provide valuable contributions to military, political, research, or economic coalitions, and frequently act as mediators in disputes between larger states. In the Cold War system, middle powers are essential secondary actors: too powerful to be ignored outright, yet unlikely to be decisive on their own.

State Flag	Common and Formal Names	Membership Within the League of Nations	International Organization Membership	Legacy Nation	Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
	Appia – Appian Republic	Member State	Pact of Rome	No
	Andulela-Chelif – Republic of the Union of Andulela-Chelif	Member State	Non-Aligned Movement African Union	No
	Apollo – Apollo Federation	Member State	Orion Treaty Organization	No	Planetary state located within the Apollo system.
	Artemis – Artemis Colonial Republic	Member State	Orion Treaty Organization	No	Planetary state located within the Artemis system. Ongoing territorial disputes with the Callisto Colonial Republic.
	Arcturus – Union of Arcturan Republics	Member State		No
	Castine – National Republic of Castine	Member State	Free Acadia	No
	Callisto – Callisto Colonial Republic	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Artemis system. Ongoing territorial disputes with the Artemis Colonial Republic.
	Eridani – Eridani Republic	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Epsilon Eridani system.
	Finland – Republic of Finland	Member State	Federal Nordic Cooperative	Yes	Competes with the Finnish SSR for recognition as the legitimate Finnish Government.
	Ireland – Republic of Ireland	Member State		Yes
	Juno – United States of Juno	Member State		No
	Khalistan – Federation of Khalistan	Member State		Yes
	Kitiya – People's Republic of Kitiya	Member State		No
	Mongibello – Independent State of Mongibello	Member State	Axis Powers Pact of Rome	No
	New Canaan – Republic of New Canaan	Member State		No
	Norway – Kingdom of Norway	Member State	Federal Nordic Cooperative	Yes
	Quebec – Republic of Quebec	Member State		No
	Senekane – Federation of Senekane	Member State	Non-Aligned Movement African Union	No
	Silvanus – Silvanus Colonial Republic	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Silvanus and Dia Dia systems. Ongoing territorial and ideological disputes with the Tetus People's Republic.
	Tetus – Tetus People's Republic	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Silvanus system. Ongoing territorial and ideological disputes with the Silvanus Colonial Republic.
	Tianyuan – Tianyuan Republic	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Epsilon Eridani system.
	Vesta – Republic of Vesta	Member State	Non-Aligned Movement	No
	Virngrund – State of Virngrund	Member State		No	Currently engaged in the occupation of Saint-Joseph.

Small Powers

See Also: Shared Sovereignty

Small power describes a sovereign or semi-sovereign state with limited capacity to project power beyond its own borders and little influence in shaping events outside its immediate astrography. Small powers typically lack the comprehensive resources of larger states, but may retain modest strengths in specific areas such as commerce, technology, or cultural output. Their security and prosperity often depend on alignment with stronger powers, participation in international institutions, or integration into regional coalitions or systems. In the Cold War system, small powers are frequently the objects of competition between larger states, yet they can exercise agency by leveraging geography, alliances, or specialized capabilities to secure their interests.

State Flag	Common and Formal Names	Membership Within the League of Nations	International Organization Membership	Legacy Nation	Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
	Banjuna-Mahara – Free State of Banjuna-Mahara	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Dea Dia system.
	Boreale – Colonial Republic of Boreale	Member State		No
	Callao – Bolivarian Republic of Callao	Member State	Union of South American States	No
	Callwood – Republic of Callwood			No
	Grobnitsa – Independent Republic of Grobnitsa	Member State	Pact of Rome	No
	Heinlein – Heinlein Colonial Republic	Member State		No
	Holy See	Member State		Yes
	Kumasi – Kumasi Colonial Republic	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Dea Dia system.
	Mdina – Mdina Colonial Republic	Member State		No
	Mediana – Mediana Colonial Republic	Member State		No
	Messis – Independent State of Messis	Member State	Pact of Rome	No
	Naxos – Colonial Republic of Naxos	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Dionysus system.
	Petrarca – Petrarca Colonial Republic	Member State		No
	Sailastra – Commonwealth of Sailastra	Member State		No
	Salamis – Salamis Colonial Republic	Member State	Non-Aligned Movement	No	Planetary state located within the Dea Dia system.
	Thasos – Republic of Thasos	Member State		No	Planetary state located within the Dionysus system.
	Val Verde – Colonial Republic of Val Verde	Member State	Union of South American States	No
	Vesper – Republic of Vesper	Member State		No

Frontier Powers

See Also: Far Frontier, List of Far Frontier Systems By Population

Frontier power describes a sovereign or semi-sovereign state located on the outer reaches of the Orion Arm, beyond the established cores of interstellar civilization. They are typically isolated, with smaller populations, limited economic strength, and restricted capacity for interconnectivity. The influence of frontier powers rarely extends beyond their own boundaries, and they exert little to no impact on astropolitics within the Arm as a whole. In many cases, they are only partially sovereign, with authority shared, or contested, by corporate or other interests that can operate without meaningful oversight. Historically ignored by larger states and markets alike, frontier powers are beginning to draw attention as megacorporations seek unregulated opportunities. In the Cold War, they represent a new and growing theater of competition.

State Flag	Common and Formal Names	Membership Within the League of Nations	International Organization Membership	Legacy Nation	Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
	Arrowhead – Arrowhead Colonial Administration			No
	Ash Point – Ash Point Colonial Administration			No
	Blakeburn – Blakeburn Colonial Union			No
	Glasswall – Colonial Republic of Glasswall			No
	Kovach – Commonwealth of Kovach			No
	Reunion – Reunion Colonial Republic			No
	Three Saints – Three Saints Colonial Administration			No
	Vorma-St. Monica – Colonial Union of Vorma-St. Monica			No