seen as threats to be avoided
Enemies are often seen as threats to be avoided at all costs. However they can also serve as valuable assets if approached with the right mindset. Unlike friends who may hide their true feelings to preserve the relationship enemies are usually transparent about their intentions. This transparency can be used to your advantage.
Consider the alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union during World War II. These two nations were ideologically opposed with deep mistrust and hostility toward each other. However when faced with a common enemy in Nazi Germany they put aside their differences and formed an alliance. This temporary partnership despite being fraught with tension was highly effective because both sides knew what to expect from the other. The clarity of intentions allowed for strategic cooperation that ultimately contributed to the defeat of a greater threat.
This example illustrates that enemies can be reliable in their predictability. You don’t need to trust them emotionally, but you can trust that they will act in their own interest. By understanding their motivations, you can find ways to align your goals with theirs even if temporarily. This approach allows you to turn potential adversaries into useful tools helping you achieve objectives that might be difficult to accomplish alone.