在其他大部分区域，现有的政治分歧往往来自于冷战或者是殖民时期，当时各国之间通过“站队”的方式来互相竞争 — — 就是宣称自己属于苏联阵营或者美国阵营。
In most other regions, ongoing political divisions have their roots in the Cold War or the colonial era. During the Cold War, neighbors often competed with each other by “choosing sides” – allying themselves with either the United States or the Soviet Union.  Pakistan tilted towards the Americans; India towards the Soviets.