Instead, big countries jostle for a share of influence, knowing they cannot monopolise the scene; small and medium-sized powers struggle to keep room for manoeuvre by playing off would-be patrons.

• 相反，大国知道它们不可能垄断该地区，因而争抢着分享影响力；小国以及中等国家则通过让那些自诩的保护人彼此相斗而努力保持着自己的回旋余地。