Can Minor Powers Swing between Major Powers under a Competitive International System?

Can minor global South powers benefit from the current competitive world order? Conventional research posits that minor powers can swing between major power rivals and benefit from both. However, this study asserts that minor powers may rely on major ones within an asymmetric alliance. Drawing on French and English news media, the study analyses the case of the Central African Republic ( CAR ), which shows a typical pattern of Russian involvement in the global South. The paper reveals two findings. First, at the beginning of the Touadéra Administration in 2016, CAR turned to Russia because of a lack of viable alternatives for support. Second, although it has helped Touadéra to consolidate an authoritarian regime in CAR , Russia impedes CAR ’s efforts to diversify its diplomatic relationships. Therefore, the article finds that it is difficult for minor powers to swing between major powers.