As the international system transitions from unipolarity and witnesses the resurgence of great-power rivalry, traditional modes of cooperation among states are undergoing profound transformation. In today’s turbulent global environment, unilateralism has become increasingly costly, while conflicting interests among major powers have rendered multilateralism less effective and weakened the role of international and regional organizations. Consequently, states are increasingly turning to smaller, purpose-driven coalitions to address security challenges and pursue shared interests—a phenomenon best captured by the concept of minilateralism. This study seeks to examine the driving forces behind the emergence of minilateralism in a given regional context and assess its implications for the evolving regional order. The research is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature, relying on library and documentary sources for data collection. The findings suggest that, beyond the impact of great-power competition for influence, transformations in inter-state relations among regional actors have also facilitated the adoption of minilateral initiatives. The institutionalization of this trend is likely to play a pivotal role in shaping new patterns of competition and cooperation among key actors in the region.