Following the Ausgleich, what is the strongest Austria could possibly be? Specifically, the strongest it could be by the time of a European Great War breaking out (so the first couple of decades of the 20th century, I think). You also cannot stop the formation of the German Empire.
I mean this in terms of political stability, economic strength, military strength, and sphere of influence.
Austria had more people than France and wasn't too far behind Germany population-wise, but its military, economy, and political stability were clearly lacking.