There are just some countries that seem to dislike each other. You can try to reason it out, but sometimes grudges go down to the cultural level or very painful experiences in history. While not all of these feuds are current, today’s list looks at countries that have a had a very strained relationship at one point or another.
United Kingdom and France
You can’t have a list of countries with bad blood without mentioning the United Kingdom and France. This feud goes back to well before the 10th century, with constant wars between the two. Tensions cooled between the two countries through two World Wars, but have started up again after Brexit.
Turkey and Greece
Turkey and Greece have been at each other’s throats since the fall of the Byzantine Empire. The Greeks were able to win back their autonomy in the Greek War of Independence, but tensions ran high. Turkey and Greece even went to war right after the conclusion of the First World War.
Saudi Arabia and Iran
A good chunk of the Middle East has animosity toward one another, but this one takes the cake. Saudi Arabia and Iran are diametric opposites. Saudi Arabia maintains close ties with Western nations, something that Iran eschews thanks to its history.
France and Germany
This is one of those rivalries that doesn’t go back quite as far as the UK and France. That said, France and Germany are on friendlier terms these days. Before that, you’ve got two World Wars, the Franco-Prussian War, and the Napoleonic Wars to look back on.
North Korea and South Korea
This is one of the more intense rivalries of the 20th century, only really igniting in the wake of the Second World War. North Korea and South Korea are bitter enemies going back to 1950 when the Korean War began. Relations have improved, but both countries are ready to reignite the last war at the drop of a hat.
China and Japan
China and Japan first clashed as early as the 7th century. However, thanks only ignited in full from the 19th century. Japan’s mistreatment and barbarity toward Chinese citizens haven’t been forgotten and are still a fresh wound. These days, it would be an understatement to say these two countries don’t like each other very much.
India and Pakistan
Speaking of bad blood between neighbors, India and Pakistan are constantly at each other’s throats. The region is similar in temperament to the Israel and Pakistan situation, with religious differences playing a key role. The two countries have fought over territory, coming to a head and two particularly vicious wars. Hopefully these countries can learn to coexist peacefully, given the nuclear arsenals at play.
Ireland and the United Kingdom
Ireland and the United Kingdom have a contentious history that goes back to the 17th century. Things boiled over in the 20th century, and there was an explosion of violence and bombings that rocked England and Ireland alike. Things have cooled somewhat, but there are still tensions, especially when looking at Northern Ireland and Brexit.
United States and Russia
The Cold War might still be recent history, but the United States and Russia are safe picks when finding countries with a contentious relationship. Numerous proxy wars, crises, and the threat of nuclear war dominated the latter half of the 20th century. While the Soviet Union fell in the early 1990s, tensions are still astronomically high.