when a country/government is overthrown and replaced (like Soviet or TR for example) they do //die. But their influence is still going to hang around, because they're still relevant to how politics will be run in the future, and they probably still have a few supporters left.
So what I think is that the dead country, while basically gone, is a kind of ghost who lives on in the current country's mind. The only one who can see them is the country who replaced them. And it's not like the dead country is fully mentally active, they just speak up now and again when something catches their interest. The dead can also briefly possess their host, but this rarely ever happens as it takes a lot of energy and willpower. Consent from the host is usually required for the possession to be successful.
(also America leaves pepsi at soviet's grave sometimes. it isn't sovame, America still hates soviet, but he has a certain respect for him. the pepsi idea belongs to @ sovietsushi on insta, the ghost bit is mine)