4/ The article suggests, after studying US presidential administrations, that in times of experienced threat to self-perceived status, “sphere of influence meaning” is assigned to the “geographical h ere” in an attempt to stabilize the self-identity as a superpower.

3/ It might insult them, drive them to align with adversaries. By devising a new concept, the “geographical here,” this article explains this phenomenon by pointing to the significance of adjacent geographical space to great power status.

2/ Spheres of influence are back in world politics, both in foreign policy practice and in public diplomacy. Assigning a “sphere of influence meaning” to a geographical space publicly is controversial, not least for the small states located there.