A federalized union between the former Anglo-Commonwealth Federation and the Confederation of American Colonies, it was forged from the temporary wartime treaty between the two powers during the Emergence War. The resulting nation is a constitutional federal republic which fifteen member states composed of unified star system wide governmental bodies serving as states and or self governing regions. These local governments generally oversee and control activities within their own borders and set policy for themselves as long as it does not violate federal oversight and the constitution of the AAU. Additionally these local entities control appropriately sized defense and security forces acting in a similar manner to the national guard, these are composed of both surface and space combatant units. Over these system state governments is a federal system composed of elected representatives, this body is the primary 'power' within the AAU overseeing the international policies, the overall structure of function of the entire nation, and control of the major arm of the military.