Country engaged in machinations? (5)
I believe the answer is:
china
'country' is the definition.
(China is an example)
'engaged in machinations?' is the wordplay.
'engaged in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'CHINA' is hidden within 'machinations'.
(Other definitions for china that I've seen before include "Where one regularly unloads junk" , "Hi, can you make porcelain here?" , "Large country; mate" , "Delicate porcelain form Orient?" , "porcelain vessels?" .)