Related by context. Frequent words. (Click for all words.) 56 ease tensions 51 inflame 49 heightened tensions 49 provoke 48 complicate 46 tensions 46 undermine 45 exacerbate 45 scupper 45 deepen 45 aggravate 44 antagonize 44 destabilize 43 mollify 43 stoke 43 infuriate 43 undercut 42 defuse 42 alienate 42 backfire 42 weaken 42 re ignite 41 escalate 41 overshadow 41 hardliners 40 embolden 40 territorial dispute 40 foment 40 cast shadow 40 intensify 40 derail 39 scuttle 39 rile 39 heighten 39 tamp down 38 marginalize 38 incite 38 reignite 38 rapprochement 38 worsen 38 hard liners 38 placate 38 disrupt 37 politicize 37 depress 37 precipitate 37 assuage 37 irritate 37 dissuade 37 pre empt 37 jeopardize 37 erode 37 quell 37 provoked 36 incite violence 36 rifts 36 erupt 36 instigate 36 unsettle 36 forestall 36 arouse 36 angering 35 allay 35 dampen 35 hamper 35 diminish 35 foreshadow 35 divert attention 35 complicate matters 35 stir 35 soothe 35 violent clashes 35 angered 35 ethnic tensions 35 discourage 35 rift 35 endanger 34 hinder 34 bolster 34 soften 34 embarrass 34 appease 34 Tensions 34 Tehran denies 34 impede 34 hardline 34 closest ally 34 underscore 34 flashpoint 34 impose sanctions 34 provoking 34 roiled 33 isolate 33 retaliate 33 downplay 33 discord 33 tarnish 33 imperil 33 exacerbating 33 pacify 33 cast pall