# Who is the USA's Best Ally? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 11, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492 "2012-02-11T02:39:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/41 "2012-02-11T11:12:35Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > (snip)Moreover, fucking a Jewish girl does not preclude one from having issues with Jews. It may guarantee it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/42 "2012-02-11T13:46:44Z")
I don’t know who our best ally is, but our worst enemy is _ourselves_… ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/43 "2012-02-11T14:20:42Z")
The US shares their Trident missile store with the UK. The number of other nations that it would be prepared to do that with is very small. Canada, Australia and New Zealand? ---
**Author:** ![A\_clever\_user\_name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@A\_clever\_user\_name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_clever_user_name)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/44 "2012-02-11T14:39:53Z")
Tossup between UK and Canada. As previously noted, a 3,000 undefended border is a pretty good sign of mutual trust. The UK has stood by us in pretty much all of our “coalition of the willing” operations over the last decades (though interestingly, apart from providing intel, we let them go it alone in Falklands). Australia is probably next - while not a NATO member, they’ve also come along on our (mis)adventures. We also tend to share intel with UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand that we don’t share with anyone else ([UKUSA Agreement - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UKUSA_Agreement)). Our most important alliance is certainly NATO. Our relationship with Israel is difficult to categorize. Whether you agree with OP’s original statement “They have general control over the media and the government” or not, making strong declarations of support for Israel is pretty much a requirement for national office. We sell them most of our highest tech military equipment. The Israeli prime minister is treated more respectfully by our Congress than is our President. Yet, we have people in Federal prison for spying on behalf of Israel, and they don’t seem troubled when their actions greatly complicate the U.S. strategic position across the Middle East. Also, while this is fading into the mists of history, in 1967 they attacked a US Navy warship, killing 34 Americans ([USS Liberty incident - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident)). It’s a matter of controversy whether this was a mistake or intentional. The term “special relationship” is often used to describe US-Israeli bonds (though this term is more commonly used with the UK). Personally, I would not characterize them as an ally, and certainly not ahead of UK, Canada, rest of NATO, Japan, or South Korea. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/45 "2012-02-11T15:05:41Z")
This thread reads like a High School girlie sleepover conversation. ---
**Author:** ![A\_clever\_user\_name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@A\_clever\_user\_name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_clever_user_name)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/46 "2012-02-11T15:17:07Z")
I know the UK likes us, but do they _like_ like us? ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/47 "2012-02-11T15:41:47Z")
Taking a broader view I actually think we might make an argument for France. Now, I know that we’ve had toss ups with the French, and that figures like de Gaulle historically engaged in recreational American-bashing for the purpose of strengthening domestic political support. (I actually have no ill will against de Gaulle, he basically was **exactly** what a French leader should be, concerned with France’s interests over her allies.) However, in the history of our relationship with France we’ve actually squabbled with them far less often and far less violently than we have with the British. We obviously have fought two open wars against the British. We fought several “near wars” with them over border issues in the 19th century, and the British were supportive of the Confederacy at the beginning of the ACW (although France was marginally supportive of them as well.) With France, we had the “proxy war” but unless I’m mistaken we’ve never actually had a declared war against France. So far we have the fact that we’ve warred with the British and we haven’t warred with the French, and the final trump card in favor of the French in my opinion is their support during the American Civil War. While I think some have historically _overemphasized_ French support, that is only because it really was very important to our efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/48 "2012-02-11T16:42:51Z")
It’s a toss up between Satan and Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/49 "2012-02-11T16:47:04Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Surely the USA’s best ally must be the friend who gives far more than they take, the buddy they are most deeply in debt to, the guys without who the US would go broke - China. Yes, a whole 5% of the national debt. > [@Sitnam](#): > > Canada and the US have no need/opportunity to cooperate, a requirement of an ally. Except every single day when thousands of trucks cross the border with trade goods. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/50 "2012-02-11T17:00:23Z")
To pretend to take the OP seriously for a moment, the answer is clearly and without question Canada. There can be no argument on this, anyone who gives a different answer is just wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/51 "2012-02-11T17:19:21Z")
This does seem to be a ‘slam dunk’ for Canada. In fact, there can’t be many closer relationships between neighboring countries anywhere. I suppose now that the EU allows trans-Europe travel without the need for border visa, that might be somewhat similar. ---
**Author:** ![pdunderhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4bbf92/32.png) [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/52 "2012-02-11T19:32:27Z")
Evening all, turning the question through 90 degrees which country/organisation has the most to benefit from a stong bi-lateral relationship with the United States? I suggest that any Washington relationship with the Commonwealth: UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and potentialy other ex. Empire nations can only be productive. In this relationship QE2 is the titular head and not Westminster, it’s older in it’s origin than the U.S. and apart from the U.N. is broader in geographical and cultural scope. Indeed it could be argued that the Commonwealth functions in a more efficient way than Pax Americana, the Queen is apolitical by her very position, can and does ‘advise and counsul’ more Heads of State than Washington _or_ Westminster and as, blowing a few horns, she has had 60 years experience. So, in answer, the alliance across the pond. Peter ---
**Author:** ![florez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@florez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/florez)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/53 "2012-02-11T19:59:40Z")
> [@PrettyVacant](#): > > This thread reads like a High School girlie sleepover conversation. China is pretty enough and really really sweet. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/54 "2012-02-11T22:05:30Z")
In terms of Intel, MI6 and other UK agencies do have entire floors in CIA buildings in Washington, I guess that might put the UK ahead of the spying Israelis… There is also a slightly wider ‘inner cirlce’ of the English-speaking old Anglo-Saxon nations that has very significant cooperation agreements. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/55 "2012-02-11T23:16:53Z")
> [@PrettyVacant](#): > > In terms of Intel, MI6 and other UK agencies do have entire floors in CIA buildings in Washington They do? I was unaware of this. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/56 "2012-02-11T23:21:14Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > To pretend to take the OP seriously for a moment, the answer is clearly and without question Canada. There can be no argument on this, anyone who gives a different answer is just wrong. There certainly can be argument on it. I can see the argument, both ways, but denying that it even exists is very naive. Canada is clearly the main civil and trade ally, followed by China. The UK is clearly the biggest military ally. The forces sent to Afghanistan and Iraq vastly outweigh any other country but the US. One can argue between Canada and the UK, and both would have a claim were they inclined to do so. One can’t claim that there is no argument with a straight face. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/57 "2012-02-11T23:28:49Z")
Well, I daresay Canada is most important to the U.S. strategic _defense_ without question, though perhaps slightly less so in recent years with the decreasing likelihood of Soviet bombers coming over the horizon. For strategic _offense_ in various theatres, I’d give the nod to the U.K. because its naval and air forces and international intelligence networks and prestige make it the most useful partner. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/58 "2012-02-12T01:07:01Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > So far we have the fact that we’ve warred with the British and we haven’t warred with the French, and the final trump card in favor of the French in my opinion is their support during the American Civil War. While I think some have historically _overemphasized_ French support, that is only because it really was very important to our efforts. I’d like to think our (France) standing against your latest adventure in Iraq was us being good allies as well. I mean, obviously we also had our selfish reasons for doing so, but still. Friends don’t let friends drive tanks drunk on Kool Aid 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/59 "2012-02-12T01:07:25Z")
> [@Dr.Crap](#): > > It’s a toss up between Satan and Canada. How can you tell the difference? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492/60 "2012-02-12T01:26:33Z")
Canada or the UK equally, for different reasons - like your closest brother and closest friend that you have to select between when choosing a best man for your wedding. > [@PrettyVacant](#): > > This thread reads like a High School girlie sleepover conversation. Given that my teenage daughter and her friends are really into Hetalia, an anime where different countries during the second world war are personified characters who have friendships and romantic relationships, it’s _exactly_ like some of the conversations they have. ‘Do you like France?’ might get an answer like ‘yeah, but I prefer Belarus’s hair.’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-usas-best-ally/612492.md?page=4)