1. （国家或政党的）联盟，同盟
    An alliance is a group of countries or political parties that are formally united and working together because they have similar aims.

    e.g. The two parties were still too much apart to form an alliance.
           两党分歧甚大，还远未能结成同盟。

2. 联合;结盟
    An alliance is a relationship in which two countries, political parties, or organizations work together for some purpose.

    e.g. What will be the effect of the alliance between IBM and Apple?...
           若IBM公司和苹果公司联合将会有什么效果呢？
    e.g. They are now in a position to govern the state in alliance with either the Free Democrats or the Green Party.
           他们现在可以选择与自由民主党人或绿党结盟来执掌国家政权。