cross-current 
noun
1A current in a river or sea which flows across another: she watched the launches bounce into the choppy cross-current...
- The trick once down was to keep an eye on bubbles and fish behaviour for telltale signs of cross-currents and whirlpools.
- Anchors are installed on both sides of the roadway to maintain its position in cross-currents and tide changes.
- The pictures showed that when the water reached a certain speed, it began to break into eddies, waves and cross-currents.
2A situation or tendency marked by conflict with another: strong cross-currents of debate...
- Nonetheless, the economy continues to be buffeted by strong cross-currents.
- But before we get too carried away, it is worth noting that we are expecting some strong cross-currents over the coming months.
- Major art often flourishes on the fault lines between civilizations, fed by complex cross-currents between one form of life and another.