Focusing on the Asia-Pacific region, Cook, Ohle and Han investigate the escalating strategic competition between China and the US. They explore the dynamics of key regional secondary states caught in the middle, namely Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam, emphasising their crucial role as potential kingmakers in the shifting balance of power. China and the US are competing to win influence over these regional linchpins to advance their geopolitical ambitions and ultimately win the strategic competition. Elucidating a “power of the weak paradox”, this contribution examines the challenging choices faced by these secondary states as they navigate alignment pressures, which influence the trajectory of the great power strategic competition. Drawing upon a range of first-hand government sources and regional perspectives, the authors take the temperature of the China-US strategic competition, revealing the intricate influencing dynamics and perilous choices linchpins are being pushed to make that will determine the fate of the Asia-Pacific. This is a timely resource for researchers, students, scholars and politicians navigating the complex realm of international relations by providing a profound exploration of power struggles, strategic choices and the often-overlooked role of secondary states.