Soviet satellites
By analogy to stellar objects orbiting a larger object, such as planets revolving around the sun, the term Satellite state refers to a country which is formally sovereign but is in fact dominated by a larger neighboring hegemonial power. In extreme cases, satellite countries may be virtual colonies with little political, economic or military independence.
The expression was most commonly used to describe the Central and Eastern European countries of the Warsaw pact during the Cold War. These countries were politically tightly controlled by the Soviet Union (from 1945-1948 until 1989).
Other great powers, including the United States, Nazi Germany and China, are sometimes also said to have (or have had) satellites.
See also
