The competition between the US and China for global dominance is a popular topic, often compared to the Cold War or the nineteenth century power struggles in Europe. However, what is often overlooked is the emergence of a group of countries known as “middle powers”. While much attention is given to the actions of the US and China in this competition, the middle powers may hold the key to the outcome.
Middle powers are countries that seek to increase their influence in their immediate region and sometimes play a significant role in the wider regional context. These efforts must be consistent and long-term, rather than short-term and sporadic. Examples of established middle powers include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and India, while emerging ones include Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. However, the success of these emerging middle powers is not guaranteed.
One of the key factors that define a middle power is its geographic position. Most middle powers border smaller and weaker states, allowing them to project power beyond their borders. However, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan border larger states such as Russia, China, and Iran, limiting their potential for power projection.
The established middle powers are wary of being caught in the great power competition between the US and China. Instead, they thrive by pursuing their own independent geopolitical course, which ultimately aims to increase their own power and influence.
One strategy used by middle powers is to avoid becoming too dependent on any major power. For example, Saudi Arabia has recently been trying to reduce its reliance on the US by improving relations with Iran. However, this does not mean that Saudi Arabia is aligning with China instead. Rather, it is seeking to have multiple foreign policy options.
Despite the challenges, the middle powers see the current China-US competition as an opportunity. For example, Saudi Arabia is using its closer ties with China to extract concessions from the US. The longer this competition continues, the more opportunities there are for middle powers like Saudi Arabia to increase their regional influence.
Other middle powers, such as Turkey and Iran, have been pursuing similar strategies for years. They also seek to maintain a balance between major powers and use their relationships with both the US and China to their advantage. This allows them to increase their own power and influence in the region.
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge