adversary;  opposition;  hostile forces
 power map;  power structure;  power relationships
 armed group;  armed insurgents
 forces of reaction;  forces of resistance;  opposition forces;  opposition elements;  resistance force
 forces of opposition;  opposing forces;  counterforce
 within the sphere of influence (of)
 expansion of one's sphere of influence;  increase in one's power (strength, influence)
 criminal groups and individuals;  groups and individuals who seek economic profit through violence, force and fraudulent means;  violent criminals, extortionists and racketeers;  organized crime; (lit.) anti-social forces
 power relations;  balance of power (between)
 the respective (relative) strength of political parties;  distribution of the number of parliamentary seats held by each of the political parties
 (the two sides) being evenly-matched in influence or power
 effective strength;  current strength
 struggle for supremacy between evenly-matched forces (parties)