Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Middle Powers Seek to Stabilize a Strained Global Order
Middle powers are countries that are not the strongest in the world but still have enough influence to matter.
Examples include Turkey, Brazil, India, and South Africa.
They often use meetings, negotiations, and international organizations to solve problems.
This approach is called multilateral diplomacy.
Some middle powers are now trying to help with wars and other global problems.
Their efforts may help when major powers are unwilling to lead.
Brazil and South Africa recently hosted international meetings that produced agreements without active US participation.
However, it is not yet clear whether these countries can work together well enough to stabilize the world.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are pursuing active diplomatic roles in conflicts involving Iran, Gaza, and Ukraine.
Middle powers rank below great powers but possess enough influence to shape international events.
Their diplomacy often relies on multilateral cooperation and narrowly focused “niche diplomacy.”
Brazil’s 2025 UN climate conference and South Africa’s G20 summit demonstrated cooperation among middle powers despite US absence or boycott.
Experts question whether middle powers can resist pressure from great powers and develop a coherent strategy for global stability.
- Who
- Middle powers including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and South Africa.
- What
- These states are taking more active diplomatic roles and seeking to support or revive multilateral cooperation.
- When
- The discussion concerns current conflicts and developments, including Brazil’s November 2025 climate conference and the G20 summit hosted by South Africa last year.
- Where
- The diplomatic activity involves international forums and conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.
- Why
- They are responding to a perceived leadership vacuum created by great powers and reduced commitment to multilateral institutions.
Case for Middle-Power Leadership
Reasons for Caution
Ability to support global stability
Case for Middle-Power Leadership
Middle powers can fill leadership gaps by cooperating through international institutions and negotiating multilateral agreements.
Reasons for Caution
Their capabilities and foreign-policy objectives are limited, and they may struggle to withstand pressure from great powers.
Working without major powers
Case for Middle-Power Leadership
Brazil’s climate conference and South Africa’s G20 summit suggest countries can advance cooperation even when the United States is absent or disengaged; Stewart Patrick described this approach as moving forward “with or without you.”
Reasons for Caution
The countries have competing values and distinct visions for the international order, so it remains uncertain whether they can translate cooperation into a coherent long-term strategy.
- Definition
- A middle power is a country below a great power or superpower that still has enough influence to shape international events.
- Historical origin
- The concept is often traced to Giovanni Botero’s 1589 work The Reason of State.
- Diplomatic style
- Middle powers commonly pursue multilateral solutions and focused “niche diplomacy.”
- Brazil climate conference
- Brazil hosted more than 190 nations at the thirtieth annual UN climate conference in November 2025, producing 29 consensus agreements.
- South Africa G20 summit
- Middle powers adopted a joint declaration supporting multilateral cooperation on climate change and economic inequality.
- US participation
- The United States was absent from Brazil’s climate conference and boycotted the G20 summit hosted by South Africa.
- Central uncertainty
- It remains unclear whether middle powers can withstand great-power pressure and form a coherent response to global turbulence.