Demilitarized Independent Region

The Demilitarized Independent Region is an area of space between the borders of the Third Imperium and the Zhodani Consulate that was established as a buffer zone by the treaty that ended the Fourth Frontier War. The systems of this region were independent before that war, but were occupied by Zhodani forces until the war ended.
  The treaty determined that borders would return to pre-war status. Furthermore, both sides agreed to keep the area off-limits for further militarization and colonization, though both were permitted to engage in trade with the independent worlds therein.
  The treaty does not prohibit either side from enticing indenepdent worlds to become parts of either greater polity either. In fact, there are a number of systems that identify as "Client States" of either the Imperium or the Consulate - not full members, but strongly allied to, at least economically and socially. There are concerns that any military alliance involving one of these worlds could lead to treaty violations that break the treaty and shatter the peace between superpowers.