Foreign relations of the United States


The United States of America has formal diplomatic relations with most nations. This includes all United Nations members and observer states other than Bhutan, Iran and North Korea, and the UN observers of Palestine and the Holy See. The U.S. maintains close unofficial relations with Taiwan, and de facto recognizes it as an independent state. Additionally, the U.S. has diplomatic relations with Kosovo, a non-UN member state which the U.S. officially recognizes, and the European Union.
The United States federal statutes relating to foreign relations can be found in Title 22 of the United States Code. The United States has the second-most diplomatic posts of any state after the People's Republic of China.

History

Diplomatic relations

List of countries with which the United States of America maintains diplomatic relations:
#CountryDate
1FranceDts|6 August 1778

Bilateral relations

Americas

Caribbean

Europe

American relations with Eastern Europe are influenced by the legacy of the Cold War. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, former Communist-bloc states in Europe have gradually transitioned to democracy and capitalism. Many have also joined the European Union and NATO, strengthening economic ties with the broader Western world and gaining the military protection of the United States via the North Atlantic Treaty.
CountryFormal relations beganNotes
Albania

Africa

North Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Asia

West Asia and Middle East

The United States has many important allies in the Greater Middle East region. These allies are Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. Israel and Egypt are leading recipients of United States foreign aid, receiving $2.775 billion and 1.75 billion in 2010. Turkey is an ally of the United States through its membership in NATO, while all of the other countries except Saudi Arabia and Qatar are major non-NATO allies.
The United States toppled the government of Saddam Hussein during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Turkey is host to approximately 90 B61 nuclear bombs at Incirlik Air Base. Other allies include Qatar, where 3,500 US troops are based, and Bahrain, where the United States Navy maintains NSA Bahrain, home of NAVCENT and the Fifth Fleet.
CountryFormal relations beganNotes
Armenia

Central Asia

South Asia

East Asia

Southeast Asia

Many countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are important partners for United States in both economic and geostrategic aspects. ASEAN's geostrategic importance stems from many factors, including: the strategic location of member countries, the large shares of global trade that pass through regional waters, and the alliances and partnerships which the United States shares with ASEAN member states. In July 2009, the United States signed ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which establishes guiding principles intended to build confidence among its signatories with the aim of maintaining regional peace and stability. Trade flows are robust and increasing between America and the ASEAN region.
CountryFormal relations beganNotes
Brunei

Oceania

Countries with strained relations with the United States

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