Throughout history, the most transparent and blunt expression of international power has involved the projection of military force. Over the years, other forms of power have gained importance, with the concept of "soft power" -- or the ability to peacefully persuade and attract other nations to acquiesce to a country's will -- recently gaining prominence as an alternative to traditional "hard power." But for countries without the luxury of the large military budgets that fuel hard power or the massive cultural and economic assets that underpin soft power, a third way has emerged as a path to global influence. Call it "Mediating Muscle."
Mediating Muscle refers to the way in which countries that may not possess overwhelming military force or other means to exercise power beyond their borders can nevertheless become influential players on the global scene by mediating international conflicts.
Mediators, especially successful ones, gain enormous prestige in the international community. They also enhance their power, as their ability to influence the outcome of negotiations leads other players to treat them with more deference and try to gain favor with them.