Mini-Update: The K4-K6 Altercation
As the exploration and colonisation fleets of the Brotherhood of the Stars and the Shofixti spread outwards from their home systems, colonising new systems for their respective nations, little did they know of their conflicting claims. The systems of K4 and K6 were claimed by both the Brotherhood and the Shofixti. De facto control of K4 was by the Brotherhood while K6 is de facto Shofixti.
With both states boasting impressive military forces as part of their rapid expansion agenda, it appeared that conflict was inevitable. Both the Brotherhood and the Shofixti had about equal military forces, while the Brotherhood had a slightly stronger economical backbone. It should also be noted that the Brotherhood as a whole detests the Shofixti due to their authoritarian government. Despite this, none of them had made the decision to press their claims yet, due to other events.
At this same time, the Shofixti had another onwership dispute with the highly militaristic and authoritarian Terran Ascendancy in the K9 System, de facto controlled by the Shofixti. The Brotherhood of the Stars on the other hand was deliberating on what to do with a trader state based out of the New Aluxian (I1) system. Their state called itself the "Aluxian Descendants". Brotherhood plans called for the seizure of the I1 system, but that decision had been done without knowledge of the existence of the Aluxian Descendants. Furthermore, the Aluxians were making noise about having the support of a mighty state known as the "Empire of Shenzhou" which supposedly was in control of the I5 system and had a friendly relationship with the Aluxians. The Brotherhood of the Stars however, had not made contact with Shenzhou, in large part as a result of the lack of available ships to explore beyond the I2-I4 line, seeing as all of its available ships were either on garrison duty, guarding the border with Aluxia, or involved in the border dispute with the Shofixti.
Player Actions: The Shofixti, Brotherhood of the Stars, and the Empire of Shenzhou all must decide on the course of action for these series of events (i.e. the dispute of K4-K6, the dispute with the Terran Ascendancy, and the Aluxian Problem). Please do remember that, for example, the Brotherhood has not actually discovered the Empire of Shenzhou, and neither has the Shofixti.
EDIT: Additional information in terms of immediate military capability in order of strongest to weakest:
Military Focus
Expansion Focus
Economy Focus
NOTE: the distinction between Economy and Expansion Focus is not as huge as between Expansion and Military. It is a marginal difference.
EDIT2: Important additional information! K4 is a Very Valuable/Medium System (L5/L3). K6 is a Very Valuable/Huge System (L5/L5). I1 is a Worthless/Medium System (L1/L3). K9 is a Valuable/Medium System (L4/L3).