Lila Abed

The scope of bilateral relations between the United States and Mexico is broad and deep, bound by strong geographical, historical, cultural, and commercial ties. However, underlying tensions persist with a mutual distrust in security and economic matters. The U.S.-Mexico relationship is so unique that it ultimately forces both countries to find common ground on an array of issues, whether they like it or not.

Mexico and the U.S.: Neighbors by Geography, Partners by Necessity

Robert Daly

Washington and Beijing need a relationship with each other more than they want one. Neither can succeed unless it finds a balance between its interests and values. Our interactive feature uses the structure of Chinese door couplets to examine this tricky relationship. 

U.S.-China Engagement: Regrettable or Inevitable? 

Floribert Anzuluni

Brad Brooks-Rubin

DRC resides at the nexus of the great power competition and an increasing climate crisis. Can the U.S. help secure its future and the world's while supporting democratic reforms that help the Congolese people? Our authors offer a path forward. 

America's Past and Present Collide in the Democratic Republic of Congo

David Ottaway

Journalist and author David Ottaway examines the current relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, fraught with a long history of crises, 

The U.S.-Saudi Conundrum

James Jeffrey

Turkey’s strengths have long made it so important to the U.S. that its human rights and other transgressions are sometimes overlooked. Despite President Biden’s foreign policy emphasis on democratic values, Turkey may again get a pass as U.S. regional interests prevail, but many concerned with Turkey’s path will continue challenging bilateral relations. 

The Caliph Confronts the West, and the Rest: The Turkish Case

Michael Kugelman

Few U.S. bilateral partnerships have proven as frustrating for Washington as the one with Pakistan, which includes policy disconnects, divergent interests, and deceptive tactics. But it is also a story of cooperation and achievements in areas ranging from counterterrorism to pandemic assistance.

The U.S.-Pakistan Relationship: Troubled but Not Headed for Divorce

Marina Ottaway

The United States has long considered Egypt a strategic partner and a major non-NATO ally. But with a dreadful human rights record and dwindling returns, this author says it's time for the U.S. to reevaluate its relationship to Egypt

Egypt and the U.S.: A Partnership Rooted in the Past

Ted Osius

Former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, Ted Osius, takes readers through core lessons from a 30-year arc of reconciliation between the two countries that were once bitter enemies but now are valued partners.

Lessons from America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam

Ambassador Mark A. Green

In this issue of the Wilson Quarterly, we explore some of the United States' trickiest relationships—countries we work with out of necessity or affinity, but with which we also harbor major differences.

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