Politically unstable country needing a hand? (6,8)
I believe the answer is:
banana republic
'a hand?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'politically unstable country' is the wordplay.
'politically unstable' becomes 'banana' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'country' becomes 'republic' (I've seen this before).
'banana'+'republic'='BANANA REPUBLIC'
'needing' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for banana republic that I've seen before include "Small state dependant on one export" , "weak state" , "state precariously run" , "Small politically unstable country dominated by foreign companies" .)