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 the answer is hidden within the clue (some parts of the word are used).
'GOVERN' is hidden in the letters of '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)'" .)