“We are at the cusp of the middle-power moment,” said Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, chair of the Middle Power Studies Network.

The world order is in transition, but it is still unclear what form it will ultimately take. Global discourse often centers on the United States’ relative decline and China’s rise. Yet, at this critical juncture, another trend to watch in global affairs is the emergence of middle powers. Increasingly, they are reshaping geopolitics— whether through bilateral engagements, multilateral forums, their regional theatres, or emerging minilateral groupings.

At the same time, middle powers face the challenge of navigating the US–China rivalry. Some choose to hedge, others align with one side, and some uphold non-aligned principles. Many are also pushing for greater strategic autonomy by diversifying their economic and security partnerships.

How are the middle powers reshaping the next world order? What limitations they face and how are they stepping up? And ultimately-- can middle powers become the real game-changers in global affairs?

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