# Great Powers The Great Powers are colonial empires that dominate interstellar politics beyond the Golden Triangle sector. These massive star-spanning nations project their influence through chartered companies, military expeditions, and religious missions. **The Al-Dahabian Caliphate** — A theocratic state governed by Sharia Law. They extend their reach through the [Golden Triangle Company](/swn-golden-triangle/golden-triangle-company/), which holds a monopoly on all sector trade by Caliphate charter, backed by Janissary military forces (bio-engineered slave soldiers). **The Anglois Dual Monarchy** — The wealthiest Great Power, Anglo-French in culture, continental in strategic temperament. Their Exemplar program produces enhanced philosopher-soldiers through pretech augmentation and classical education. The program tore itself apart when half the Exemplars rebelled against colonial reality — those renegades became the [Sun Eaters](/swn-golden-triangle/sun-eaters/). The Monarchy still fields loyal Exemplars alongside conventional marines and licensed privateers, but the program is wounded and under political scrutiny. **The Cathayan Empire** — Projects power through mercenary companies and cultural influence, particularly visible in regions like [Qingqiu](/swn-golden-triangle/qingqiu/) on [Arcadia](/swn-golden-triangle/arcadia/). **The Ispanian Federacion** — Emphasizes technological superiority through cybernetic enhancement. Their Tercio Cybernetica and Cognoscenti tech savants represent cutting-edge military technology. The Great Powers compete for influence through proxy conflicts, trade monopolies, cultural imperialism, and military expeditions. Local factions like the [Cobalt Syndicate](/swn-golden-triangle/cobalt-syndicate/) actively resist their control.