What is the word for an array of nonaligned or friendly states that cushion or protect a larger country from invasion,as happened with the former Soviet Union and its Eastern European neighbors?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A buffer zone refers to an area of land that serves as a barrier between two opposing forces. In this case, the array of nonaligned or friendly states acts as a buffer between the larger country and potential aggressors, protecting it from invasion.

What Is the Word for an Array of Nonaligned or Friendly