ABSTRACT
As the Indo-Pacific is a diverse region, pinpointing the “middle” spot on the region’s power spectrum takes a lot of specific examination. While the traditional middle power definition focuses on two main criteria, namely power sufficiency and sphere of influence, both of which are defined to fall in the middle spot on the power spectrum, the definition of middle powers can be more complicated. The chapter is an attempt to analyse and bring out a general view of middle powers in the Indo-Pacific region. To do that, four approaches are employed, namely the hierarchical approach, the rhetorical approach, the functional approach and the behavioural approach. The countries to be analysed include Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia, which serve as examples of each approach to the concept of Indo-Pacific middle powers. After the definition, the chapter discusses the roles and challenges of Indo-Pacific middle powers. This paper serves as a guiding document on the study of middle powers in the Indo-Pacific. Its four-country study does not intend to offer a sweeping generalisation across the region nor an in-depth study of each country’s strategy. Rather, it offers a recommendation on research areas, a framework of comparison of middle powers and the motivation for future studies in international relations.
