half; semi-; half-past; odd number; (arch.) unit of land area (595.8 m^2)
far from; anything but; not at all; let alone; to say nothing of; not to mention
state; condition; the way things should be; ideal state; truth
war; fighting; fierce competition
trampling down; overrunning; infringement; violation
can do nothing but (do); cannot help (doing) something
to destroy; to overthrow; to wreck; to ruin
aggression; invasion; raid
(outward) appearance; (proper) format (e.g. of an essay); form; appearances; decency; lip-service
allegiance; obedience; submission
common; shared; to be common (to); to be shared (by); -wide
backing; support; backer; shield that protects one's back
armed might; military power; the sword; force
deterrence; ability to deter (an attack, etc.)
this sort of; of this kind; of the sort; such
geopolitical; geostrategic
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
to reign supreme; to assume the leadership (hegemony); to dominate
order (esp. to a number of people); command; ritual of bowing at start and end of school class
successive generations; successive emperors
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to show someone (into a room)
pushing forward (undaunted, bravely); working vigorously towards an aim; struggling on; striving towards
to use somebody's (argument, attack) against them
quality (of a product or a service)
various; varied; diverse; all sorts of
encouragement; inspiration; rousing; stirring up; raising (e.g. morale)
vassal state; vassal nation; dependency
treatment; service; handling (of a machine, tool, etc.); operation; treating as; treating like
to reward; to recompense; to repay; to retaliate; to get revenge
neighbouring country; neighboring country; adjacent country
contempt; derision; slight; disdain
dirty work; unpleasant task
ditch; drain; groove; tread; gap (between people, countries, etc.); gulf
having an audience with someone of very high social standing (e.g. the emperor)
in name only; titular; nominal
what kind of business; what sort of matter
pride; boast; credit (to)
to put one's life on the line; to risk one's life; to put everything one has into it
business discussion; negotiation
to divulge one's true feelings; to open one's heart