over which a state or organization

region cultural, economic

has significant
military or political influence

within the "sphere of influence" of another more powerful country

a country become a subsidiary of that state
may
serve in effect as a satellite state or de facto colony
profile
had quite a large sphere of influence
influenced, or directly governed events in
the Japanese Empire
Korea, Manchuria, Vietnam
Taiwan, and parts of China

sphere of influence of the Soviet Union

Eastern Europe, North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam

the People's Republic of China (until the Sino-Soviet split)

Western Europe, Oceania

US sphere of influence
Japan, and South Korea
Sphere of
influence However, the level of control exerted was not absolute

France and Great Britain

were able to act independently to invade the Suez Canal

they were later forced to withdraw by joint US and Soviet pressure
France was also able to withdraw from the military arm of NATO
Cold War often took positions that put them at odds with the Soviets

momentary alliances with the Chinese,

Cubans support to freedom fights in Africa and America
without previous approval from the Soviet Union

Portions of a single country can fall into two distinct spheres of influence

Germany was divided into four occupation zones

which later consolidated into

West Germany member of NATO

East Germany member of the Warsaw Pact

Sphere of influence .mmap - 06/06/2009 - Carlos Mondragón