Its power enabled it to play an increasingly assertive role in Europe's affairs.

East Germany, long insulated from critical calls for change, is facing an increasingly assertive human rights movement among the young.

The military has become increasingly assertive, and talk of reductions or a transition to an all-volunteer army have faded.

One good reason is that the Administration now must reckon with an increasingly assertive Congress.

That energy has been expressed through increasingly assertive displays of support.

The opposition also reflects a deep uneasiness with America's increasingly assertive role as the world's only superpower.

The Sioux became increasingly assertive and suddenly attacked without warning.

Thus the Philippines might be a test case, indicating whether banks can hold the line against increasingly assertive foreign debtors.

It plays an increasingly assertive role on the international stage.

In the last 30 years, the focus of collections has shifted to the telephone, with increasingly assertive tactics.