diff --git a/include/nat.h b/include/nat.h
index e8c0d736..f44d30d2 100644
--- a/include/nat.h
+++ b/include/nat.h
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ extern char *relatename(struct natstr *np, natid other);
 extern char *rejectname(struct natstr *np, natid other);
 extern char *natstate(struct natstr *np);
 extern int getrel(struct natstr *np, natid them);
+extern int relations_with(natid, natid);
 extern int getrejects(natid them, struct natstr *np);
 extern int getcontact(struct natstr *np, natid them);
 extern void putrel(struct natstr *np, natid them, int relate);
diff --git a/src/lib/common/nat.c b/src/lib/common/nat.c
index e71e1cf8..1efc5b19 100644
--- a/src/lib/common/nat.c
+++ b/src/lib/common/nat.c
@@ -104,6 +104,16 @@ getrel(struct natstr *np, natid them)
     return np->nat_relate[them];
 }
 
+/*
+ * Return relations US has with THEM.
+ * Countries are considered allied to themselves.
+ */
+int
+relations_with(natid us, natid them)
+{
+    return us == them ? ALLIED : getrel(getnatp(us), them);
+}
+
 int
 getrejects(natid them, struct natstr *np)
 {