Rating the bilateral relationships
shaping national power
The 50 leading nations, by the intensity of their relationships1,225 pairs
Each nation is a dot, coloured by region and sized by the mean intensity of its relationships. Lines join the closest relationships. Point at a nation for its name, select one to open its page, or switch the layout to Organic to see the blocs the strongest relationships form.
Leading nations
50 nations, 1,225 pairs
The world's larger and regionally pivotal nations, each rated against every other.
Wider world
168 nations, 14,028 pairs
The other nations and territories, each rated against every other but not against the leading nations.
The ratings come in these two panels, which never meet: no nation of the 168 is rated against one of the 50. Every page keeps them apart, and a nation is ranked only against its own panel. Why this matters
The closest relationships
The highest intensity among the 50 leading nations, both sides together.
| Nation | Partner | Its side | Partner’s | Gap | Both |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israel | United States | 5.55 | 5.10 | +0.45 | 5.33 |
| United Kingdom | United States | 5.30 | 5.05 | +0.25 | 5.18 |
| South Korea | United States | 5.10 | 5.15 | −0.05 | 5.13 |
| Japan | United States | 5.20 | 5.00 | +0.20 | 5.10 |
| Australia | United States | 5.05 | 5.00 | +0.05 | 5.03 |
| Canada | United States | 5.25 | 4.80 | +0.45 | 5.03 |
| Taiwan | United States | 5.20 | 4.85 | +0.35 | 5.03 |
| Germany | United States | 5.10 | 4.90 | +0.20 | 5.00 |
| United Arab Emirates | United States | 5.05 | 4.85 | +0.20 | 4.95 |
| India | United States | 4.90 | 4.75 | +0.15 | 4.83 |
Seen differently from each side
Where one nation rates the relationship as much more intense than its partner does. The side that rates it higher is first.
| Nation | Partner | Its side | Partner’s | Gap | Both |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Korea | China | 4.00 | 2.30 | +1.70 | 3.15 |
| Taiwan | China | 3.85 | 2.50 | +1.35 | 3.18 |
| United States | China | 4.70 | 3.40 | +1.30 | 4.05 |
| India | China | 4.15 | 2.90 | +1.25 | 3.53 |
| Qatar | China | 4.05 | 2.80 | +1.25 | 3.43 |
| Philippines | China | 3.95 | 2.70 | +1.25 | 3.33 |
| Iran | China | 4.40 | 3.30 | +1.10 | 3.85 |
| Morocco | China | 3.85 | 2.80 | +1.05 | 3.33 |
| Canada | China | 4.05 | 3.00 | +1.05 | 3.53 |
| Australia | China | 4.15 | 3.20 | +0.95 | 3.68 |
Gathering pace
The highest momentum: relationships warming and deepening.
| Nation | Partner | Its side | Partner’s | Gap | Both |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israel | United States | 5.85 | 5.70 | +0.15 | 5.78 |
| United Kingdom | United States | 5.85 | 5.60 | +0.25 | 5.73 |
| Australia | United States | 5.60 | 5.65 | −0.05 | 5.63 |
| United Arab Emirates | Israel | 5.40 | 5.70 | −0.30 | 5.55 |
| South Korea | United States | 5.70 | 5.40 | +0.30 | 5.55 |
| Japan | United States | 5.50 | 5.55 | −0.05 | 5.53 |
| Taiwan | United States | 5.55 | 5.50 | +0.05 | 5.53 |
| China | Pakistan | 5.50 | 5.50 | 0.00 | 5.50 |
| United Arab Emirates | United States | 5.40 | 5.45 | −0.05 | 5.43 |
| Ukraine | United States | 5.50 | 5.35 | +0.15 | 5.43 |
Losing pace
The lowest momentum: relationships cooling or falling away.
| Nation | Partner | Its side | Partner’s | Gap | Both |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | North Korea | 2.75 | 3.15 | −0.40 | 2.95 |
| North Korea | Ukraine | 3.25 | 2.85 | +0.40 | 3.05 |
| Canada | North Korea | 2.95 | 3.25 | −0.30 | 3.10 |
| United Kingdom | North Korea | 3.00 | 3.20 | −0.20 | 3.10 |
| Belgium | North Korea | 3.10 | 3.15 | −0.05 | 3.13 |
| China | Taiwan | 2.80 | 3.50 | −0.70 | 3.15 |
| Iran | Israel | 3.25 | 3.10 | +0.15 | 3.18 |
| Poland | North Korea | 3.10 | 3.30 | −0.20 | 3.20 |
| Russia | Ukraine | 3.30 | 3.10 | +0.20 | 3.20 |
| Netherlands | North Korea | 3.15 | 3.30 | −0.15 | 3.22 |
Leaning to rivalry
The lowest cooperative orientation, both sides together.
| Nation | Partner | Its side | Partner’s | Gap | Both |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | Israel | 3.10 | 3.25 | −0.15 | 3.18 |
| Iran | United States | 3.40 | 3.30 | +0.10 | 3.35 |
| North Korea | United States | 3.35 | 3.45 | −0.10 | 3.40 |
| Japan | North Korea | 3.65 | 3.25 | +0.40 | 3.45 |
| China | Taiwan | 3.10 | 3.85 | −0.75 | 3.47 |
| Australia | North Korea | 3.35 | 3.60 | −0.25 | 3.48 |
| North Korea | Taiwan | 3.75 | 3.40 | +0.35 | 3.58 |
| Israel | North Korea | 3.60 | 3.60 | 0.00 | 3.60 |
| Russia | Ukraine | 3.80 | 3.45 | +0.35 | 3.63 |
| North Korea | Ukraine | 3.65 | 3.65 | 0.00 | 3.65 |
One-sided dependence
Where one nation relies on its partner far more than the partner relies on it. The more reliant side is first.
| Nation | Partner | Its side | Partner’s | Gap | Both |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | China | 4.00 | 2.00 | +2.00 | 3.00 |
| Pakistan | China | 4.00 | 2.00 | +2.00 | 3.00 |
| Iran | China | 4.05 | 2.10 | +1.95 | 3.08 |
| North Korea | China | 3.60 | 1.70 | +1.90 | 2.65 |
| Nigeria | China | 3.90 | 2.00 | +1.90 | 2.95 |
| Vietnam | China | 3.75 | 1.90 | +1.85 | 2.83 |
| Ethiopia | China | 3.60 | 1.90 | +1.70 | 2.75 |
| Myanmar | China | 3.60 | 1.90 | +1.70 | 2.75 |
| Thailand | China | 3.75 | 2.10 | +1.65 | 2.93 |
| Egypt | China | 3.65 | 2.00 | +1.65 | 2.83 |