Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In geopolitics, middle powers are defined as countries that do not reach the power of major powers, while being influential in their region or beyond.

The resurgence of a multipolar world system opens up new opportunities for middle powers. Striking examples are Japan and Turkey, which strengthened their national interests by maneuvering between major powers.

After decades of economic downturn, Japan has re-established itself as an important regional middle power. Tokyo has played a key role in revitalizing and moving forward the revised Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Japan is strengthening its position as a central economic partner in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, despite a strong alliance with the United States, Tokyo continues to resist Washington’s attempts to sever relations with China or Russia.

Turkey is actively expanding the scope of its activities. Despite the fact that Turkey is a member of NATO, it seeks to expand its cooperation beyond the North Atlantic, purchasing S-400 air defense systems from Russia. Ankara has stepped up its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, challenging NATO counterpart Greece. Turkey also challenges Russia’s interests in Syria and the South Caucasus by supporting Azerbaijan in its confrontation with Armenia.

The unbalanced nature of the multipolar world system gives Turkey more room for maneuver, as the interests of the United States and Europe often diverge, and China has become its own pole of power. None of the great powers wants to completely alienate Turkey, despite Ankara’s actions.

Thus, in many ways, the middle powers will be the center and lever of the global balance of power, retaining more flexibility than during the Cold War and greater importance than during the post-Cold War US hegemony. In the face of multipolar competition between great powers, middle powers will become more important and perhaps less predictable.