Developments in these countries during the postcommunist years marked a gradual change from Russian to European influence, but that is not irreversible.

Politicians gained influence and popular support by directing state owned banks to make loans to favored constituencies.

Many pointed to the long and tragic civil war as an example of external powers struggling for power through Lebanese actors.

US influence in Burma is unlikely to outweigh that of increasingly powerful Asian neighbors.

The parties must be persuaded by a combination of pressure and assurances from influential Member States that it is truly in their interests to respect the ceasefire and to pursue a settlement through peaceful means.

During the 19th century, Joseon tried to control foreign influence by closing the borders to all nations but China.

Britain in the Wilderness

The EU has even more leverage.

He possesses more influence than power.

This dilemma has begun to have a negative effect on the countries that lie between Russia and the EU. Developments in these countries during the postcommunist years marked a gradual change from Russian to European influence, but that is not irreversible.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have long challenged each other for geopolitical influence in the region, most recently during the 'proxy war' in Yemen.

The first scenario is a continuation of the current situation. Russia and the EU would continue trying to consolidate their positions by competing for influence over their mutual neighbors.

Meanwhile, India has been attempting to counter balance Pakistan s influence with the Taliban by providing investment, military training, aid, and other support to the Afghan government.

But, by re claiming a position of influence in the economies and politics of adjacent countries, Russia risks creating political tensions with the European Union.

Instead, special interests compete for influence through campaign contributions and other forms of political donations.

Russia has had centuries of influence in the Middle East and Central Asia, much of which used to be incorporated in the Russian and Soviet empires.

The second is to increase voters spending power through populist subsidies and transfers, which typically tend to be directed toward the politically influential rather than the truly needy.

The party then hemorrhaged influential members, particularly in the north.

The rapid growth of China, India, and other emerging countries should come with increased influence, to be implemented through the planned quota increase in 2011.

With influence must come accountability.

No Country for Young Oligarchs

Finland fell into the Soviet sphere.

The purpose of influence is not to build your ego, or your net worth.

Over time, enhanced influence will enable him to get more things done.

The Romans also exerted influence on the Persian Gulf.

Should he choose to exercise his vast residual influence through United Russia (with its inevitable majority in the newly elected parliament), we will know that he means what he says.

Many Afghans complain that armed strongmen continue to dominate their local communities.

Even though the Peruvian Army was not involved in World War II, this conflict had a significant effect in its development, mainly through the replacement of French military influence by that of the United States.

No diplomat could match that kind of influence.

The outcry after the first BMW case was not really about the light sentence given to a rich woman, but about the lack of confidence ordinary people have in China's judicial system.

For optimists, Turkey s growing regional influence enhances its value for the EU. But this assumes that Europe is willing and able to benefit from what Turkey has to offer.

Turkey was wrong to try to gain wider influence in the Middle East by working with the region s revolutionary forces.It is far wiser for Turkey to make common cause with the region s responsible forces.

The White Moors are a light skinned Berber people who speak Arabic.

But, in both cases, the customers are getting the influence for which they are paying.

Instead of operating in an environment with little influence or room for maneuver, pushing the peace process now could help endear the Arab public to the West and give the US more sway in the new Middle East.

Pakistan s actions are explained mainly by its strategic readjustment in light of US weakness in Iraq and the region as a whole, and by the newly strengthened relationships between India and Afghanistan, resulting in an increased Indian presence in Central Asia.

In Iraq, free elections have revealed the enormous influence of Islamist currents.

This confederation, under French influence, put an end to the Holy Roman Empire.

So, does China s most powerful leader in a generation have enough clout to stop the rot?

They outlined a national strategy in which world influence was understood to flow from scientific leadership.

Resistance to the growing influence of molecular biology was especially evident in evolutionary biology.

To the extent that these attitudes may have led to a political system in which small and medium size firms find it difficult to flourish, they may have contributed to France s problems.

Minority politicians have long wielded authority, if not power, in its various high offices.

This was combined with British victories over the French at Madras, Wandiwash and Pondicherry that, along with wider British successes during the Seven Years' War, reduced French influence in India.

Asia s new clout holds tremendous promise.