diffident, confident, self-assured, far from assured.

The growing rivalry between America and China will hinge on South-East Asia. But China's bid for dominance in the region is far from assured.

The self-portrait is curiously contradictory. Blair is ruthless but at times diffident.












self-assured

(adjective) Showing poise and confidence in your own worth.
Synonyms: self-confident
Usage: He's a self-assured negotiator, and his confidence helps him make sales that no one else can.
dif·fi·dent (dĭf'ĭ-dənt, -dĕnt') adj.
Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid. See synonyms at shy1.
Reserved in manner.

[Middle English, from Latin diffīdēns, diffīdent-, present participle of diffīdere, to mistrust : dis-, dis- + fīdere, to trust.]diffidently dif'fi·dent·ly adv. adj.
Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid. See synonyms at shy1.
Reserved in manner.

[Middle English, from Latin diffīdēns, diffīdent-, present participle of diffīdere, to mistrust : dis-, dis- + fīdere, to trust.]diffidently 

dif'fi·dent·ly adv.
[形]（自分の能力・適性について）自信のない((about, of ...))；気おくれしている, はにかみがちな；控え目な.
dif・fi・dent・ly [副]自信がなさそうに, おずおずと

confident adj.
Marked by assurance, as of success.
Marked by confidence in oneself; self-assured. See synonyms at sure.
Very bold; presumptuous.
Obsolete. Confiding; trustful.

[Latin cōnfīdēns, cōnfīdent-, present participle of cōnfīdere, to rely on. See confide.]confidently con'fi·dent·ly adv.