Some pondering over nation’s rule (6)
I believe the answer is:
govern
'rule' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'some pondering over nation's' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates a hidden word (some parts of the word are used).
'GOVERN' is hidden within 'pondering over nation'.
(Other definitions for govern that I've seen before include "Run" , "Control and direct the affairs of" , "Exercise authority over a people" , "Rule with authority, perhaps a country" , "'Rule over, control (6)'" .)