The security environment since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States has clearly demonstrated the limits of the United Nations, or even the US as the world’s sole military superpower, to maintain international security. However, like-minded mid-level powers with similar intentions could complement what the UN or the US lacks, effectively generating sufficient clout to stabilize the global security environment.
2001年9月11日恐怖份子对美国发动攻击以来的安全环境已经清楚地表明联合国、甚至作为世界唯一超级军事大国的美国在维持国际安全方面上的局限性。但是，具有相似意图的志同道合的中等强国却可以补充联合国或者美国的不足，有效地产生足够的影响力来稳定全球安全环境。