Related by context. Frequent words. (Click for all words.) 63 ease tensions 62 defuse tensions 53 mend fences 47 mediate 47 rapprochement 46 frictions 46 defuse 45 allay concerns 44 fence mending 42 tensions 42 detente 42 curry favor 41 mollify 41 tamp down 41 rifts 40 deflect criticism 40 heightened tensions 40 allay 40 quell 39 normalize relations 39 heal wounds 39 rift 39 allay fears 39 placate 38 escalating tensions 38 diplomatic spat 38 rebuff 38 President Hu Jintao 37 friction 37 bonhomie 37 conciliatory 37 reconcile 37 shuttle diplomacy 36 soothe 36 acrimony 36 resolve 36 persuade 36 heightened tension 36 assuage 36 woo 35 discord 35 reassure 35 tension 35 envoys 35 burnish 35 amity 34 deadlock 34 outflank 34 pacify 34 downplay 34 thaw 34 diplomatic ties 34 impasse 34 quash 34 mediating 34 revive 34 prod 33 goodwill gesture 33 scupper 33 peacemaker 33 diplomatic 33 antagonism 33 bolster 33 dispel 33 counterbalance 33 appease 33 spats 33 foment 33 stoke 33 cordial relations 33 standoff 33 confrontation 32 rein 32 bilateral ties 32 ties 32 scuttle 32 mend 32 rekindle 32 territorial dispute 32 forge 32 disagreements 32 animosities 32 outdo 31 hostility 31 oust 31 rebuke 31 stanch 31 boost 31 avert 31 frank discussion 31 sectarian strife 31 spur 31 galvanize 31 imbalance 31 constructive engagement 30 destabilize 30 brinkmanship 30 normalizing relations 30 reinvigorate 30 poach 30 lure