>>508431846 (OP)They didn't "rule" or "control" those countries, at least in where I live.
They only come, topple regimes hostile to them through divide et impera, install the friendly ones, and protect the new regime while they oppress their own people and pay tributes to europeans.
Basically very much like modern USA. USA doesn't rule the world, they're not as strong as they think they are, but the world is too divided to fight against them.
Except China but they're still biding their time.