pull strings

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• verb intransitive, idiomatic To manipulate a situation, especially by asking favours of others; to use one's influence with others to attain a desired goal.
• verb intransitive, idiomatic before “strings”) To control a person, organization, or situation by operating behind the scenes, as a puppeteer controls a marionette.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

• verb influence or control shrewdly or deviously