Enemies of the United States 2025
US Enemy Countries
Enemy
Former enemy
US Enemy Countries
14 countries
8 countries
Country | US Enemy Countries↑ | Reasons | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | China | Enemy | Like Russia, seeks to usurp and/or undermine US global leadership in many categories, including international economic influence, political influence, and Olympic medal count. |
 | Russia | Enemy | Long-running rival (as USSR and later as Russia) which actively seeks to usurp and/or undermine US global leadership in many categories, ranging from international influence and military might to Olympic medal count. Has shown imperialistic tendencies, such as when it annexed Ukrainian territory in 2014 and invaded Ukraine in 2022. |
 | Iran | Enemy | While the US and Iran once enjoyed friendly relations, the 1979-18 hostage crisis, in which 52 Americans were held hostage in Iran for more 444 days during the Iranian revolution (in retaliation for US support of the country's former government), marked the end of those relations. The US severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 1980 and had not renewed them as of 2023. |
 | Myanmar | Enemy | Myanmar–United States relations have been strained especially after the 1988 military coup, and worsened with repeated military crackdowns and the 2021 coup. The U.S. has imposed sanctions, condemned human rights abuses, and suspended cooperation. |
 | Afghanistan | Enemy | Gave asylum to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, who committed the 9/11 attacks while residing in the country. In retaliation, the US invaded, deposed the ruling Taliban government, and installed a new government. However, the Taliban, known for human rights offenses and repression of women, reclaimed control immediately upon US withdrawal in 2021. |
 | Yemen | Enemy | Considered a major hub for al-Qaeda. Though the country has attempted to ally with the US to root out al-Qaeda operatives in the past, many US officials feel Yemen could do more. Country is currently mired in civil unrest. |
 | Venezuela | Enemy | Relations soured in early 2000s as then-president Hugo Chávez declared himself socialist and anti-imperialist. Accused US of covert attempts to undermine government on multiple occasions, severed diplomatic ties on 2019. |
 | North Korea | Enemy | Held 52 Americans hostage from late 1979 until early 1981 (in retaliation for US support of the country's former government) as part of the Iranian revolution. The US severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 1980 and had not renewed them as of 2023. Iran's uneven human rights record, occasional support for terrorist activities, and a purported covert nuclear weapons program contribute to ongoing unease between the two countries. |
 | Syria | Enemy | Severed relations with the US in 2012 in response to American support of the rebel side in the Syrian Civil War. Country is considered a dictatorship with poor human rights protections and a rumored tendency to shelter terrorists such as al-Qaeda. |
 | Zimbabwe | Enemy | The U.S. recognized Zimbabwe at independence in 1980 and initially provided significant aid. Relations deteriorated from the early 2000s over alleged human rights abuses, leading to targeted sanctions, suspension of non-humanitarian aid, and strained diplomatic ties, though humanitarian assistance continued |
 | South Sudan | Enemy | Relations deteriorated sharply in 2025 after the U.S. revoked all South Sudanese visas and suspended new issuances, citing the country's refusal to accept deported nationals. U.S. officials accused South Sudan of undermining bilateral cooperation, while South Sudan claimed the dispute stemmed from a case of mistaken identity. |
 | Cuba | Enemy | Cuba has been considered an enemy of the United States since the early 1960s, when Fidel Castro's government nationalized American-owned properties and allied with the Soviet Union. This led to an economic embargo and the severing of diplomatic relations. Despite a brief thaw in relations during the Obama administration, restrictions were reinstated under the Trump administration, and as of 2023, tensions remain due to Cuba's communist government and human rights issues. |
 | Belarus | Enemy | Frequent Russia ally accused by US of excessive human rights violations, suspiciously unfair elections, sheltering Saddam Hussein. Sides with Russia in was against Ukraine. Has in turn accused US of interfering with its internal and external affairs. |
 | Eritrea | Enemy | Relations, established after Eritrea’s 1993 independence, have deteriorated over authoritarian rule, lack of elections, human rights abuses, and Eritrea’s involvement in the Tigray War. U.S. sanctions in 2021 and 2022, along with increasing public criticism, have worsened the relationship, reflecting ongoing hostility and minimal cooperation. |
 | Sudan | Former enemy | Has historically sponsored terrorism against the US and responded to insurgent activity in its own Darfur region by committing ethnic cleansing. As with Libya, relations have improved in recent years. However, as of 2023, the government is unstable, as different factions of the country's armed forces fight one another for control. |
 | Niger | Former enemy | Relations between Niger and the United States have generally been close and cooperative, especially in counter-terrorism, trade, and development. However, in August 2023, Niger's military junta severed diplomatic ties with the US following a coup. In 2024, Niger ended its security cooperation, citing constitutional violations. Despite tensions, relations were normalized in 2025 with a new US ambassador and reopened consular services. |
 | Somalia | Former enemy | The U.S. supported Ethiopia against Somalia during the 1964 Ethiopian-Somali War and had a complicated relationship during the Ogaden War. Relations worsened after Somalia’s government collapse in the early 1990s, but the U.S. never severed ties. The U.S. formally reestablished diplomatic relations with Somalia in 2013 after years of conflict, reopening its embassy in Mogadishu in 2019. Military cooperation and development aid have been ongoing, with Somalia remaining a fragile partner. |
 | Cambodia | Former enemy | U.S.-Cambodia relations collapsed in the early 1970s after the U.S. backed the Lon Nol government against the Khmer Rouge, followed by the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal regime and its hostility toward the U.S. Relations remained strained during Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia (1979–1989). Ties improved gradually after the 1991 Paris Peace Accords and Cambodia’s reintegration into the international community, though concerns over authoritarianism persist. |
 | Laos | Former enemy | Relations started in 1950 and continued after Laos’ independence. The U.S. fought a secret war supporting the Royal Lao government and Hmong allies during the Vietnam War. After the 1975 communist takeover, relations cooled but were never severed and were fully restored in 1992. The Lao government has been accused by the U.S. and NGOs of persecuting the Hmong minority, leading to refugee crises and resettlement in the U.S. Cooperation exists on accounting for missing U.S. personnel and narcotics interdiction. Trade has grown moderately despite ongoing human rights concerns. |
 | Libya | Former enemy | Former leader Muammar Gaddafi and his government were known to fund terror attacks against the US in the 1980s. However, relations have warmed since the 2011 overthrow of Gaddafi, with the US frequently aiding the current government's fight against ISIL militants seeking to seize control of the country. |
 | Nicaragua | Former enemy | Nicaragua Former enemy Relations are currently stable, but the U.S. frequently intervened in Nicaraguan affairs during the 20th century, including funding Contra rebels against the Sandinista government in the 1980s. Tensions have eased since 1990, with ongoing cooperation despite occasional political disputes like the 2018 NICA Act. |
 | Central African Republic | Former enemy | While U.S.-CAR relations were historically positive, repeated coups, political instability, and violent rebellions led to multiple embassy closures, most recently in 2012 due to security threats. The U.S. has maintained only limited engagement, focusing on humanitarian aid and democratization efforts. |
- The term “Enemy” in this list reflects countries with which the United States has strained or hostile relations, including sanctions, diplomatic tensions, or conflicts. Different sources may vary in their classification of which countries are considered enemies. This list includes countries with notably difficult or adversarial bilateral relations with the U.S., even if full formal declarations of enmity do not exist.
Iran
It could be disputes over oil, its relationship with Iran, the support of nefarious factions, or all the above. What is certain, is that the relationship between the US and Iran is strained, to say the least. And the truth is, since the 1979–81 Iran hostage crisis, things have never been the same between the two countries.
Syria
The conflict between Syria and the US didn’t begin as a Syrian - US conflict, but as a Syrian civil war. Needless to say, once the US stepped in two help, all bets were off for an amicable relationship.
Iraq
There has been tension, war, and distrust between the US and Iran for decades. The Gulf War in the 1990s, the invasion of Kuwait, and other notable events have made Iran one of the top US enemy countries.
Libya
The relationship between Libya and the US has made marginal gains, but there is still a long way to go. The top reason Libya is perceived as one of the potential US enemy countries is its ties to terrorism, which led to targeted US bombing in the mid-1980s.
Somalia
While Somalia as a whole may not be considered one of the top US enemy countries, the terrorist factions within its borders keep it on the radar. That has also led to US military operations in Somalia as a part of counter-terrorism efforts.
Pakistan
The US relationship with Pakistan has been rocky, with a history of ups and downs. Due to its continued ties, interactions and affiliations, there remains a level of distrust in the motives and goals of the Pakistan nation.
Russia
Historically, Russia has always been one of the top US enemy countries. The conflicts between the two powers in both World Wars I and II have become that of historical record and lore. Currently, that unsettled relationship between the two powers has raised its head again with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
North Korea
Another US enemy country that needs little introduction is North Korea. The conflict and discord between the US and North Korea is well-documented, and not much of a secret to anyone. This is also another one of those US enemy countries that has a long history of bad blood and spilled blood.
Mexico
While Mexico wouldn’t be considered a traditional US enemy country, it’s proximity to the US, and its pipeline of terrorism and drugs into America make it a threat.
