The Gundams were originally the terror units of Operation Meteor. All five Gundam pilots deserted from Operation Meteor because of the orders to massacre people. The engineers who built the Gundams also agreed and told them to attack only OZ. The Gundam Force is Heero, Duo, Wufei, Quatre, Trowa and the engineers. The Gundam pilots meet many people that help them out like the Maganac Corps, Howard who built PeaceMillion, and Hilde.

The Alliance are the rulers of earth at the start of the series. They have attacked the space colonies which causes the colonies to attck earth with the Gundams. The Alliance is defeated by OZ and the Specials, who were a part of the Alliance but answer to OZ. After their defeat they had small bases and soldiers but no great military power. They aid the Gundam pilots on many occasions.

The Specials were an elite branch on the Alliance. They were under the control of OZ though and helped orchastrate the Alliance's defeat. OZ is led by Treize who answers to the Romefellar Foundation. OZ is the main enemy in the series. The Romefellar Foundation was the hidden supporter of OZ while the Alliance was in power but became the rulers of earth after the Alliance fell. The Foundation's chief representative is Duke Dermail until it is seen that the world would follow Relena. So Relena was made into Queen Relena, the ruler of earth.

The White Fang is the rebel force of the colonies. They were once part of Operation Meteor and so took most of the same ideas. Zechs is offered the leadership of the White Fang and he accepts. Their strength is based upon Mobile Dolls and the BattleShip Libra, which they stole from OZ. Epyon is their symbol of strength and the other Gundams are in the way of that symbol, so they are the enemy.

The Barton Foundation is led by Daikam Barton, he started Operation Meteor and the Gundams. They are not heard from again in GW except that Qanz, the former leader of White Fang, was a member. The Barton foundation attacks earth in Endless Waltz to make Marie-Maya the ruler of earth, as the daughter of Treize, and as the original Operation Meteor had intended. The Barton Foundation used Operation Meteor again in EW, the intention of dropping a colony onto earth is revealed as the actual Operation Meteor, not the Gundams.