In Search of the Middle Powers

In French, the word "moyen" carries several meanings. It can suggest a balanced "middle ground," a lever of action (or "means" of achieving something), or a sense of being "middling"-that is, somewhat mediocre and inadequate. The concept of the "middle power"-or "moyenne puissance" in French-that was popularized in the aftermath of the Second World War brings together something of all three meanings. At a moment when crises have become the norm, hegemonic superpowers seem to have regained the upper hand, and transactional diplomacy seems to be replacing multilateral dynamics, it makes sense to ask: Who are the middle powers? And can they help build a more stable and secure international order by bringing together countries that defend a "certain vision of the world"? In this five-part summer series, former diplomat and expert on international affairs Michel Duclos explores the universe of the middle powers, from Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia, by way of Indonesia and Australia.

Copyright image : Alan-Ducarre