Kristin Haugevik is Senior Research Fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

"Scholars of international relations have not paid much attention to what makes relations between some states ‘special’. Kristin Haugevik’s fine book helps filling this gap. Employing a social constructivist lens, she offers a neat framework linking language and diplomatic practice to shed light on the inner-workings and long term dynamics of ‘special relationships’. Very well crafted and clearly written, this is a most welcome contribution to the IR literature on interstate friendship." - Dr Felix Berenskoetter, SOAS University of London, UK."Haugevik’s account of ‘special relationships’ resists the temptation to reify a category of practice; as such, she is able to remain squarely focused on the plethora of activity that it takes to shore up such a relationship between two states. Her remarkable study discloses the practical effort that goes into the production and reproduction of ‘specialness,’ complementing interest-based explanations by directing our attention to dynamic performances of state identity." - Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, American University, USA.

• 1. Introduction 2. What is a special relationship? 3. Theorizing special relationships as a social process 4. Friends, partners or ‘poodle politics’? 5. Photo-ops and open doors 6. When lodestars fade 7. Conclusion: How relationships become special

Kristin Haugevik is Senior Research Fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

"Scholars of international relations have not paid much attention to what makes relations between some states ‘special’. Kristin Haugevik’s fine book helps filling this gap. Employing a social constructivist lens, she offers a neat framework linking language and diplomatic practice to shed light on the inner-workings and long term dynamics of ‘special relationships’. Very well crafted and clearly written, this is a most welcome contribution to the IR literature on interstate friendship." - Dr Felix Berenskoetter, SOAS University of London, UK."Haugevik’s account of ‘special relationships’ resists the temptation to reify a category of practice; as such, she is able to remain squarely focused on the plethora of activity that it takes to shore up such a relationship between two states. Her remarkable study discloses the practical effort that goes into the production and reproduction of ‘specialness,’ complementing interest-based explanations by directing our attention to dynamic performances of state identity." - Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, American University, USA.

• 1. Introduction 2. What is a special relationship? 3. Theorizing special relationships as a social process 4. Friends, partners or ‘poodle politics’? 5. Photo-ops and open doors 6. When lodestars fade 7. Conclusion: How relationships become special

Kristin Haugevik is Senior Research Fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).

"Scholars of international relations have not paid much attention to what makes relations between some states ‘special’. Kristin Haugevik’s fine book helps filling this gap. Employing a social constructivist lens, she offers a neat framework linking language and diplomatic practice to shed light on the inner-workings and long term dynamics of ‘special relationships’. Very well crafted and clearly written, this is a most welcome contribution to the IR literature on interstate friendship." - Dr Felix Berenskoetter, SOAS University of London, UK."Haugevik’s account of ‘special relationships’ resists the temptation to reify a category of practice; as such, she is able to remain squarely focused on the plethora of activity that it takes to shore up such a relationship between two states. Her remarkable study discloses the practical effort that goes into the production and reproduction of ‘specialness,’ complementing interest-based explanations by directing our attention to dynamic performances of state identity." - Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, American University, USA.

• 1. Introduction 2. What is a special relationship? 3. Theorizing special relationships as a social process 4. Friends, partners or ‘poodle politics’? 5. Photo-ops and open doors 6. When lodestars fade 7. Conclusion: How relationships become special