Middle East Relationships: It's Complicated
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United States : Iran
The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980 after Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage. Since then, talks between Tehran and Washington have been carried out by mediators. The United States has drafted and supported UN sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program. Some analysts suggest relative-moderate President Hassan Rohani's election could present an opening for direct U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Tehran supports Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. Washington supports anti-Assad rebels.
United States : Israel
Israel is the closest U.S. ally in the Middle East, with cooperation in the economic, military, and intelligence spheres. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid.
United States : Egypt
For three decades Egypt has been a strong strategic ally for the U.S. in the Middle East. The U.S. provides over $1 billion in annual aid -- much of it going to Egypt's military. However, the ouster of the Muslim-Brotherhood-led government in July has cooled relations. Washington has condemned the violent breakup of pro-Brotherhood protests and cancelled an annual joint military exercise. But Washington has refused to call the overthrow a "military coup," which would legally force the cancellation of U.S. aid disbursements to Egypt.
United States : Turkey
U.S. President Barack Obama once called Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan one of his closest friends. The two NATO allies share foreign policy and economic interests in the region. Both support anti-Assad rebels in Syria. However, the bond has been tested by recent events in Egypt. The United States condemned remarks by the Islamist-rooted Erdogan, in which he blamed Israel for the military ouster of Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi.
United States : Saudi Arabia
Close allies, there has nonetheless been tension over Washington's handling of Egypt and "democracy-building" efforts in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia was surprised by the White House's quick abandonment of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and blamed "ignorance" for the lukewarm U.S. reaction to the new military-led government in Egypt. Both sides agree on the need for regime change in Syria.
United States : Qatar
The U.S and Qatar have strong economic and military relations, including a U.S. Central Command unit in the country. But Qatar has recently used its vast oil wealth to support Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, causing consternation in Washington.
United States : Syria
The U.S. has called for the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and threatened to intervene if his regime uses chemical weapons. Washington has been surprised by Assad's staying power and the troubling rise of radical Islamist elements among anti-Assad rebel fighters.
United States : Russia
After attempts at a "reset" with Moscow that included the signing of an arms reduction pact, U.S.-Russian relations have hit a low point. Tensions have increased amid disagreements on Iran, Syria, human rights, and the granting by Russia of temporary asylum to U.S. leaker Edward Snowden.
United States : Hamas
The U.S. lists Hamas as a terrorist organization and has not included it in peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Hamas leader Khalid Mashaal has said the U.S.-led peace process will fail.
United States : Iraq
Ten years after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that overthrew Saddam Hussein, Baghdad and Washington maintain close security and economic ties. But the relationship is complicated by competing alliances. Iraq's Shi'a-dominated government is increasingly influenced by Tehran and Baghdad opposes foreign military intervention in Syria.
Iran : Israel
Iran refuses to recognize Israel as anything other than a "Zionist regime" and has supported proxy militant groups based in the West Bank, Gaza, and southern Lebanon. Israel has warned allies that they should act, perhaps militarily, to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear-weapons capabilities.
Iran : Egypt
Egypt and Iran went three decades without formal diplomatic relations. The rise of the Muslim Brotherhood led to a thaw, but Iran condemned the overthrow of President Muhammad Morsi. Relations are unlikely to improve with Egypt's military back in control.
Iran : Turkey
Although Iran and Turkey have strong economic ties, they often are on opposite sides of regional conflicts and see each other as rivals. Turkey's strong anti-Assad stance -- including open support for foreign military intervention against Assad's regime -- has angered Iran. Both countries opposed Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi's overthrow.
Iran : Saudi Arabia
The rivalry between Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Shi'a-led Iran includes differences over political philosophy, oil, and regional influence. Despite governing under strict Islamic law, the Saudi royals have provided vast support to secular Arab autocrats and have used diplomatic channels to oppose Iran's Shi'a proxies, including Hizballah.
Iran : Qatar
Qatar and Iran have close economic ties but disagree on the conflict in Syria. Both Doha and Tehran have spoken out against the ouster of the Islamist President Muhammad Morsi by Egypt's army.
Iran : Syria
Iran is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's most ardent supporter in the Middle East -- providing military and proxy support. Some analysts have described Syria's civil war as a proxy war between the West and Iran.
Iran : Russia
Iran and Russia, both wary of U.S. influence, increasingly find areas of common interest. Moscow helped Iran build its Bushehr nuclear power plant. Both support President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. Still, as a member of the UN Security Council, Russia has supported sanctions against Iran over Tehran's nuclear program -- albeit weaker sanctions than those supported by the U.S. and European Union.
Iran : Hamas
Iran and Hamas share enmity for Israel, and Tehran had supported Hamas financially. But differences over Syria have caused a rift in the relationship. Hamas, a Sunni Islamist organization, backs the largely Sunni rebel movement against Syria's Bashar al-Assad. Tehran has responded by suspending millions of dollars in aid -- instead backing Islamic Jihad, a Gaza-based militant group that rivals Hamas.
Iran : Iraq
The 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, which killed hundreds of thousands of people on both sides, now seems a distant memory. Tehran wields more influence with Baghdad than ever in recent memory. Cooperation on trade, security, and foreign policy goals is strong between the two Shi'a-dominated governments. Iraq joined with Iran in supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. But they disagreed on the military ouster of Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi.
Israel : Egypt
Egypt and Israel have maintained strategic relations since signing the 1978 Camp David Accords. Israel relies on Egypt to protect their common border in the south. During Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak's rule, Cairo also was heavily involved in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Relations soured after Mubarak's fall. But close ties appear to have resumed since Egypt's military-led takeover in July.
Israel : Turkey
Before Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule, ties between Turkey and Israel included strong economic and military cooperation. However, tensions have increased under Erdogan, reaching a nadir when an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla killed nine civilians. Relations improved in 2013 after Israel apologized for the deaths. But relations soured again when Erdogan blamed Israel for the military ouster of Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi.
Israel : Saudi Arabia
Although Israel and Saudi Arabia don't have formal diplomatic relations and Riyadh backs Sunni Islamists, the interests of both countries often overlap. A 2011 "New York Times" report said Israel sees Saudi Arabia as a "guarantor of stability" in the region.
Israel : Qatar
Israel and Qatar's low-level diplomatic relations were cut off by Qatar in a protest against Israel's 2008 Operation Cast Lead offensive against militants in Gaza. Qatar provides significant financial support to Hamas.
Israel : Syria
Israel has targeted military installations within Syria. President Bashar al-Assad has threatened to attack Israel if a western coalition provides military aid to Syria's rebels. Israel is concerned about what forces may arise from a power vacuum that could be created in Syria if Assad's regime is overthrown.
Israel : Russia
Israel and Russia have strong economic and military cooperation, as well as significant cultural ties. More than 1 million Jews from Russia and other former Soviet republics now live in Israel. Both countries have opposing strategic and geopolitical views on security issues, including Iran and Syria.
Israel : Hamas
Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, is committed to an Islamist state that includes the territory of Israel and the Palestinian territories. It has been responsible for militant attacks against Israel, including suicide bombings and rocket barrages from Gaza. Israel calls Hamas a terrorist organization. A cease-fire between the two sides occasionally is interrupted amid flare-ups in tensions.
Egypt : Turkey
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been one of the most vocal critics of the Egyptian army's ouster of President Muhammad Morsi. Erdogan also has criticized the violent breakup of Muslim Brotherhood street protests. He has called Morsi's ouster a "coup" and has claimed it was backed by Israel.
Egypt : Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has provided billions of dollars in aid to Egypt's new military-installed government and has called on the Arab world to support it. Riyadh was furious about the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak and accused the West of disloyalty for tacitly backing regime change.
Egypt : Qatar
Qatar, a wealthy backer of Egypt's ousted President Muhammad Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, has condemned the removal of Morsi and the crackdown against his supporters. Egyptians who supported Morsi's overthrow accuse Al-Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite television news channel, of bias in its coverage of events in Egypt. To protests from Al-Jazeera, the military-installed government closed the offices of its Arabic service.
Egypt : Syria
Egypt's military-installed government opposes foreign military intervention in Syria. The Muslim Brotherhood supports it.
Egypt : Russia
Moscow says the military ouster of Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi's government in July 2013 vindicates its skepticism about the Arab Spring. Russia has taken a neutral stance on the overthrow, but has expressed enthusiasm about strengthening relations with Egypt.
Egypt : Hamas
Hamas emerged as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s and closely cooperated with Egypt's Islamist leader Muhammad Morsi before his ouster from the presidency. With Egypt's military back in power, however, relations have soured -- illegal tunnels between Egypt and Gaza are being closed off and Cairo has called Hamas an obstacle to peace.
Egypt : Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was one of the first Middle East leaders to express support for the government formed after the ouster of former Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi. Although there were strong economic relations between Morsi's Sunni-dominated Muslim Brotherhood and Shi'a-dominated Iraq, Maliki had been critical of Morsi's support for rebels in Syria. Since Morsi's overthrow, Iraq and Egypt have found common ground in their support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Turkey : Saudi Arabia
Turkey and Saudi Arabia share strategic interests, including a rivalry with Iran and support for Syrian rebels. They are at opposite ends of the spectrum on Egypt.
Turkey : Qatar
Turkey and Qatar cooperate and share common interests across the Middle East. Both support rebels in Syria and have condemned the military ouster of Islamist leader Muhammad Morsi from the Egyptian presidency.
Turkey : Syria
Turkish forces have had sporadic cross-border clashes with Syrian troops loyal to Bashar al-Assad since the crisis in Syria began more than two years ago. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has advocated western-backed military intervention against Assad's regime in Syria.
Turkey : Russia
Turkey and Russia have strong economic ties, particularly in trade and tourism. Ankara's vociferous opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia's support for Assad's regime have not yet led to any visible deterioration in those ties.
Turkey : Hamas
During a meeting in Ankara between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hamas leader Khalid Mashaal, Erdogan promised to visit Gaza. Ankara has been one of the sharpest critics of Israel's 2008 military campaign in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Turkey : Iraq
Relations between Turkey and Iraq are complicated by growing ties between Ankara and northern Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish regional government (KRG) in Irbil. Baghdad sees Ankara's cooperation with the KRG as an affront to its authority. Baghdad and Turkey also have opposing positions on Syria and Egypt.
Saudi Arabia : Qatar
Tensions between Qatar and Saudi Arabia are high as both battle to make their mark in the region. The Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite television channel, Qatar's support for the Muslim Brotherhood, and Doha's contributions to Hamas all have been sources of tension between the two oil-rich countries. Both agree on the need to overthrow Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime. But they're backing different rebel groups.
Saudi Arabia : Syria
Saudi Arabia supports foreign military intervention against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Riyadh has provided financial and military backing to rebel groups.
Saudi Arabia : Russia
Riyadh and Moscow have maintained formal diplomatic ties since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. But relations have grown tense -- particularly since the start of the Arab Spring uprisings across northern Africa and the Middle East. Saudi Arabia provided cover for rebel forces that fought against Muammar Qaddafi's rule in Libya and has supported rebels in Syria. Moscow has supported the regimes of both Qaddafi and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Riyadh also has been accused of providing financial support to radical Muslim organizations in Russia that back Chechen militants.
Saudi Arabia : Hamas
Despite backing other Sunni militant organizations, Saudi Arabia is aligned with the western-backed Fatah movement on the question of who represents Palestinians. Saudi Arabia and Hamas both support rebel fighters in Syria's civil war.
Saudi Arabia : Iraq
Saudi Arabia, a supporter of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein, now has a complicated relationship with Iraq. The Sunni government in Riyadh is concerned about close ties between Baghdad's Shi'a-led government and Tehran. Iraq and Saudi Arabia support opposing sides in Syria's civil war. Riyadh also is concerned about Iraq's ability to challenge Saudi Arabia on the global oil market.
Qatar : Syria
Qatar supports the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. It has provided financial and military support to rebel fighters there.
Qatar : Russia
Russia has tense relations with Qatar -- including the downgrading of diplomatic ties after an altercation involving a Russian diplomat at Doha's airport. Tensions have been exacerbated by Qatar's support for rebels who are fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Qatar : Hamas
Qatar provided a reported $400 million in financial aid to Hamas in 2012 and hosts the organization's leader, Khalid Mashaal. Some see Doha's support for Hamas as part of its proxy battle with Riyadh for influence in the Middle East.
Qatar : Iraq
The relationship between Iraq and Qatar is complicated by Baghdad's concerns about Qatar's support for Sunni militants. Qatar has provided financial support to Sunni militants in Syria and Baghdad has accused Qatar of secretly supporting Sunni militants in Iraq.
Syria : Russia
Russia says it is not backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad specifically, but it has been the main inhibitor of international sanctions against Syria, teaming up with China to veto UN Security Council resolutions against Damascus. The Russian Navy holds a military outpost at Tartus on Syria's Mediterranean coast -- its only base outside the former Soviet Union. Moscow has campaigned hard against possible U.S.-led military strikes in response to chemical-weapons attacks that Washington says were launched by Assad's forces.
Syria : Hamas
Although Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had long supported Hamas, the militant group has backed the Sunni-aligned rebel movement. A senior Hamas leader has called "jihad" in Syria a priority.
Syria : Iraq
Baghdad is a strong supporter of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, and has spoken out strongly against rebel forces.
Russia : Hamas
Russia has called for Hamas to be included in the Middle East peace process. In 2010, Hamas leader Khalid Mashaal was invited to Moscow for talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Russia : Iraq
Russia opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Moscow's relations with Baghdad generally were sparse after Saddam Hussein's 2003 ouster. But Russia and Baghdad now agree on key regional policy points, including support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. Military and economic relations took on added significance in 2012 when Moscow and Baghdad agreed to a $4.2 billion weapons deal.
Hamas : Iraq
Sunni-dominated Hamas has no apparent ties with the Shi'a-led government in Baghdad. But Iraq vociferously criticized Israel's 2008 military campaign in Gaza.