MIDDLE POWER GEOPOLITICAL POSITION AND MARITIME WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION

Abstract

Abstract. The study analyses how middle powers, particularly Australia and Indonesia, can strengthen their strategic influence through the adoption of a whole-of-nation approach to foreign and security policy. In the context of increasingly complex and interconnected global challenges, including climate change, transnational crime, and geopolitical instability, middle powers need to coordinate across government sectors and involve non-state actors to develop effective responses. Drawing on the Asia–Pacific Development, Diplomacy, and Defence Dialogue framework and empirical examples including MIKTA cooperation and Australia’s climate leadership, the study examines how integrated strategies and cross-sectoral coordination enhance national and regional resilience. Using qualitative content analysis, the research reviews official policy documents, public statements, and academic literature to assess the institutionalisation of whole-of-nation practices. The findings emphasise the strategic significance of internal coherence and external partnerships in enabling middle powers to influence global governance and operate effectively in a rapidly evolving international environment.