Group of countries (4)
I believe the answer is:
bloc
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">group of countries</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(group of associated nations, eg the Eastern bloc)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for bloc that I've seen before include "A number of countries" , "-- Forsyth, entertainer" , "International alliance" , "Combination of nations" , "People cooperating" .)