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

• 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

"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.

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

• 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

"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.

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

• 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

"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.