Middle power

Middle power is a term used to describe nations that are not superpowers or great powers, but still have some influence internationally. There is no specific definition of which countries are middle powers. Canada, Australia and the Scandinavian countries are some of the countries most often referred to as middle powers. Many other countries from India to Belgium have also been referred to as middle powers.

Middle powers are characterized by allegiance to groups, but not leadership of them. Thus Canada and Australia are part of alliance blocks lead by the United States. During the Cold War Middle powers not aligned with one of the two superpowers often turned to the Non-Aligned Movement to find international allies. Middle powers are often the states most committed to multilateralism.