Amid US-China rivalry and political uncertainty, smaller middle powers are forming fluid coalitions. These nations are asserting greater autonomy to diversify partnerships and mitigate geopolitical risks.

Faced with US-China rivalry and an uncertain future even beyond Donald Trump’s presidency, middle powers are building fluid coalitions and partnerships to hedge against American and wider unpredictability, according to a leading Southeast Asian affairs scholar. Traditional US allies are asserting greater autonomy and forming their own networks to hedge against risks – a shift that is creating openings for smaller neutral states to further diversify their partnerships, while mitigating the danger...