America has had at least one major enemy throughout its relatively short history, and often, it has faced many more.
While Americans may love their country, other nations haven’t always reciprocated that feeling. The policies and ideologies of the United States have inspired a range of foes, from large world powers to smaller, yet still potent, forces.
Fortunately, time can change relationships, and many former enemies have become allies. There is hope that current adversaries might also follow this trend and become allies in the future.
Here are 15 of America’s biggest enemies throughout history:
1: China
According to Gallup polls, Americans currently view China as their biggest enemy. Despite being one of the largest trading partners with the U.S., the country is said to use economic espionage and counterintelligence to threaten the United States.
The FBI indicates that the Chinese government employs tactics to influence lawmakers and public opinion to achieve policies more favorable to China.
Additionally, they use predatory business practices, theft of intellectual property, and cyberattacks against the U.S..
2: North Korea
North Korea is considered one of America’s biggest current and historical enemies. This is due to its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program, sponsorship of terrorist attacks, and alleged participation in the illegal drug trade.
The animosity towards America began after WWII when the USSR and the U.S. temporarily administered portions of Korea.
The original plan for a unified Korea did not materialize; instead, the South adopted a Western-style government, and the North adopted communism, which laid the groundwork for anti-U.S. sentiments that persist today.
3: Iran
Many point to the 1979 Iranian Revolution as the event that solidified Iran as an enemy of the U.S.. Before the revolution, Iran was a crucial part of America’s Middle Eastern strategy.
After the revolution, which thwarted America’s plans for the region, Iranians were seen displaying hostility towards the U.S. and proclaiming it one of their biggest enemies.
Americans also developed negative views of Iran. By 2006, Gallup polling showed Americans considered Iran a top U.S. enemy.
Although fewer U.S. citizens see Iran as a major threat today, it is typically still listed as a significant enemy.
4: Iraq
In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq, claiming the country possessed weapons of mass destruction and was part of the “axis of evil,” a term also applied to Iran and North Korea.
The invasion began with a “shock and awe” bombing campaign and lasted for eight years. According to Pew Research, the majority of Americans now believe the war with Iraq was not worthwhile.
The source states that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction, and its leader, Saddam Hussain, was not closely linked to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, despite beliefs to the contrary in 2002 and 2003.
5: Russia
More recently, prior to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, most Americans did not view Russia as an enemy. However, by the time of the Ukraine invasion, 70% of Americans listed Russia as a U.S. enemy.
Seeing Russia as a foe is familiar to older Americans. The Cold War between the Soviet Union and the U.S., lasting from 1947 to 1991, was a period when the Soviet Union was perceived as the greatest threat to America.
6: The Taliban
In the 1990s, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan and provided a safe haven for al-Qaeda, the terrorist group responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
Following the 2001 attacks, the Taliban and al-Qaeda became America’s primary enemy, leading the U.S. military to launch a campaign against them.
U.S. troops removed the Taliban from leadership in Afghanistan and occupied the country for two decades. In 2021, U.S. troops departed, and the Taliban returned to power.
Although the international community still views the Taliban negatively, they are no longer listed as one of America’s top enemies.
7: Mexico
Currently, Mexico is not an enemy of the U.S., but there was a time when relations were poor. In 1846, the U.S. and Mexico engaged in war.
While historical accounts often portray the U.S. as easily winning this conflict, it came at a cost, with sixteen percent of Americans who fought not returning home.
However, according to the National Institute of Health, the vast majority of American casualties were caused by infectious diseases, not direct combat.
8: Native Americans
While Native Americans are not considered an enemy of the Uited States government today, they were historically considered the greatest foe.
In the early days of the U.S., settlers and the government envisioned a nation stretching from coast to coast, but much of that land was already inhabited.
In pursuit of controlling territory across the continent, America waged war on Native peoples. These conflicts were characterized as bloody, destructive, and ultimately detrimental to many tribes.
9: Great Britain
America’s initial enemy was Mother England. Without Great Britain, the U.S. would not exist as a country.
The Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783, initially resembled a civil war, as most residents of the future United States were British citizens.
However, France became an ally to the Patriots, transforming the war into an international conflict where the English were the primary enemy.
10: Japan
Today, Japan is an ally of the U.S., but during World War II, it was one of America’s most bitter enemies. Japan was responsible for the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which prompted a massive response from the U.S..
Nearly four years after entering the war against Japan, the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on the country, reportedly killing up to a quarter million people.
11: Germany
Polling by YouGov indicates that most Americans now view Germany as a friendly country. However, historically, Germany was one of America’s fiercest enemies, being on opposing sides during World War I and World War II.
Even after the wars ended, relations remained somewhat unstable. While West Germany aligned closely with the U.S., France, and the U.K. by joining NATO, Eastern Germany allied with the Soviet Union.
It was only after the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification that the U.S. considered the entire country an ally.
12: Venezuela
According to the U.S. Department of State, the relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela is described as friendly, “sort of”.
The source notes that the relationship is not entirely amiable, and the U.S. has imposed strict sanctions on the Maduro regime.
While the U.S. officially states it is cooperating “closely to achieve the goal of a peaceful restoration of democracy” with certain parts of the Venezuelan government, much of the leadership is viewed as the enemy.
The U.S. has provided nearly $2.8 billion in humanitarian aid, but this aid comes with restrictions.
13: Cuba
The relationship between Cuba and the U.S. is complex. The U.S. once saw Cuba as an ally and trading partner.
However, the Cuban Revolution in 1959 brought socialists to power and led to the nationalization of American businesses in Cuba.
Following this, the U.S. no longer considered Cuba a friend. Even after the Cold War ended, the ideological clash between America’s capitalist system and Cuba’s socialist leanings keeps relations uneasy.
14: Syria
Syria and the U.S. have had an inconsistent relationship since the 1940s. Currently, they are in an “off-stage” period.
Diplomatic relations were established in 1944 but ceased after the Arab-Israeli War in 1967. Relations returned to a friendly state in 1974, but by 1979, the U.S. placed Syria on its list of terrorist sponsors.
From 1991 to 2001, the U.S. and Syria cooperated, suggesting an improving relationship. However, relations deteriorated between 2001 and 2003, leading to the imposition of harsh economic sanctions by the U.S. that remain in place today.
15: Algeria
After Great Britain, Algeria was one of America’s first foreign adversaries. The U.S. fought the North African country during James Madison’s presidency in what is known as the Barbary Wars.
At that time, Americans were combating piracy sponsored by various North African states. While piracy had been ongoing, Americans lacked the protection of the British Navy and became vulnerable.
In response, the new U.S. Government levied taxes and built the first U.S. Naval ships to fight the Algerian pirates.
Alicia Richards