If it succeeds, it could create a two-tier NATO in the east: a few countries with a direct relationship with America, and a vulnerable rump without.

而如果成功，则可以在东部营造一个双层的北约：少数国家与美国有着直接的关系，而易受攻击的残余部分没有。

youdao

Recalling that relationship, next month America is due to hold annual war games with regional allies in Thailand, a source of prestige for Thai generals.

因为有这层关系，美国会在泰国举行一年一度的联合军事演习，并邀请各地区的盟友参加，本年度举行的时间是下个月。

youdao

Myanmar has, over the past 20 years, developed an extremely close relationship with China, and yet here again was a case of America reasserting its influence in the region.

过去20年当中，缅中两国关系紧密至亲，但当下美缅恢复建交则成为美国努力在该地区重新找回影响力的又一事例。

youdao

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have also complicated America's relationship with the Islamic world.

VOA: standard.2010.03.18

"With this blockade against building materials, it seems hard to see how America's pledge of $10 million is going to make any difference unless, because of the close relationship between America and Israel, there's some kind of agreement that this $10 million for UNRWA schools in Gaza will go through."

VOA: standard.2010.06.17

The impetus seems to have gone out of a relationship in which America invested so much under George W Bush.

ECONOMIST: America and India try to define a new sort of relationship

And if Russia has enough at stake in its relationship with America, it may even decide that the cost of fighting another war in Georgia or destabilising the Crimea is simply too high.

ECONOMIST: Russian-American relations

He doesn't think the close relationship with Israel is in America's best interests.

BBC: The drum beat of an unwanted war