policy-insights-9-72dc8b79f0de8974.pdf

This policy brief by Andre W. Cooper examines how middle-power countries recalibrate their diplomatic strategies in a multipolar global environment. It contrasts the approaches of the MIKTA grouping, South Africa's alignment with BRICS, and Canada's shift from broad multilateralism toward a more consolidated focus on strategic Western allies.

• The current multipolar global environment creates stress for middle-power countries, forcing them to project their national interests and identity through various diplomatic platforms.
• Middle powers utilize different forums to signal their global and regional status; while some use the G-20, others have formed the MIKTA grouping (Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia) to address their position as the 'missing middle' between the G-7 and BRICS.
• South Africa has chosen to enhance its global status by embracing the BRICS grouping, moving away from a traditional middle-power image to project itself as an 'ascendant country'.
• Canada's diplomatic strategy has evolved from a post-WWII approach of active participation in numerous international organisations and 'like-minded' ad hoc coalitions in the 1990s to a more consolidated approach under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
• The Harper government's shift toward a focused diplomatic approach—prioritizing the US, NATO, and G-7 partners—has been viewed as a risk that could lead to isolation, as seen in Canada's failure to secure a UN Security Council seat in 2010.
• The United States is experiencing a decline in its hegemonic power and is now forced to negotiate and bargain through ad hoc coalitions rather than acting in a disciplinary manner.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-insights-9-72dc8b79f0de8974.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Policy-Insights-9.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-insights-9-72dc8b79f0de8974.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Policy-Insights-9.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-insights-9-72dc8b79f0de8974.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Policy-Insights-9.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicyinsights972dc8b79f0de8974pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-insights-9-72dc8b79f0de8974.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Policy-Insights-9.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }