Why China Will Need a 'More Persuasive Security Offer' to Win Over Middle Powers The recent remarks by Elbridge Colby, undersecretary of defense for policy, have reignited debate among US allies about their relationships with Washington and Beijing.
By urging regional partners to increase defense spending and align more closely with American priorities, Colby inadvertently highlighted the challenges China faces in winning over middle powers.
In an era marked by shifting global power dynamics, middle powers are increasingly seeking alternative security arrangements that don't make them vulnerable to either superpower's influence.