[GlenBarrington]

That DOES NOT include the obligatory mysterious hostile aliens, and an "Embattled Earth" (always, inexplicably called Terra), that is badly outclassed technologically, poorly run by the political leaders, but saved miraculously by the 'space navy'?

I'd love to hear some alternatives that shakes things up a bit.

Maybe something along the lines of Caliphate by Tom Kratman, I've read most of his stuff, and I'm not afraid of views different than my own. Nor, for that matter, views identical to my own, I just don't expect that to occur!

(Say what you will about his politics, Kratman does offer to shake things up!)