ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the main research debates regarding international mediation strategies, their efficacy and their consequences for the peace-making process. Mediation is one of the most common methods of dealing with and resolving social and political conflicts. Since the process of mediation is so varied, the concept of mediation has been defined in different ways. Since mediators need to use their resources to maintain a stalemate and preserve the triangular relationship, moving parties to agreement, a basic problem is identifying the optimal strategy. A related question regarding mediation strategies concerns the relationship between mediation strategies and outcomes, i.e. the criteria defining success. As an instrument of peace-making in armed conflict, international mediation has stimulated an expanding area of research. Depending on the issues before a third party and depending on the different phases of the conflict-resolution process, coercive strategies may include the simultaneous use of softer strategies with the difference being of degree and sequence.
