ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the study’s conclusions regarding the development of strategy by middle powers in response to changes in the international system. We found great divergence between the strategies adopted. Moreover, both alignment and military strategies were affected by regional contexts and unit-level characteristics, such as strategic exposure and experiences of conflict. Thus, middle powers located in similar regional security complexes displayed similarities, even when located in different geographical settings. Hence, among middle powers in security communities, there was a preference for alignment strategies based on hedging, while states in more hostile regions had to adapt their strategies more to the influence of great powers and to unit-level characteristics. Moreover, while states in conflict formations remained focused on national defence, middle powers located in more peaceful settings tended to develop means for expeditionary warfare. Still, the findings of the study also indicate that there are similarities between middle powers which distinguish this category of states from great powers and small states. Thus, with more ambitious ends, means, and ways compared to those of small states, but less ambitious than those of great powers, middle powers are a useful subcategory for exploring the diversity of strategy among states.
