Love the resource links in your post. Thanks.

Concerning a lower opacity is a bit tricky with this map (or my fledgling InDesign skills ...) as the political spheres overlap and thus create a rather ugly overlay. But I will give it a try and highlight the border in a more vibrant color while lowering the opacity a bit.

The Star Wars map you linked is one of the most beautiful maps of this kind but also one of the worst content-wise. Almost everything is in the wrong place ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Cheers!