All things considered, however, Japanese-American national security relations are on an even keel.

The alliance has survived equally serious earlier troubles because both countries recognized that it was in their interests to maintain workable trade and security relations.

The starting point for a growing number of Japanese and South Koreans is that in security relations the United States has too good a deal.

American critics of the bases agree that security relations are unfair, but in a different way.

"I intend to give new focus to our security relations in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

After these events, Gaddafi started to have closer economic and security relations with the West.

"Settlements, borders, refugees, the nature of the Palestinian entity, economic relations, security relations, everything."

"Better security relations with Russia will help China to balance U.S. influence in the region," he said.

Article 9 of Japan's constitution is interpreted to bar Japan from entering into security relations with countries other than the United States.

"Sept. 11 has caused us to re-evaluate a lot of our security relations in the Middle East," an American official said.