Mediation and Mongolia’s foreign policy

Abstract Over the past decade, the small state of Mongolia has emerged as an important player in Northeast Asia through its mediation efforts. Driven by a desire for regional and global influence and prestige, Mongolia has sought to locate itself as a neutral intermediary in regional conflicts—in particular the Korean peninsula’s peace process, by hosting the “Ulaanbaatar Dialogue” starting in 2013. In this regional security dialogue initiative, Mongolia has proven itself to be a capable peace broker in easing tensions between the two parties, and, more crucially, it has made a constructive impact on the regional security architecture by building a functioning multilateral dialogue mechanism to support the Korean peninsula peace process after the halt of the six-party talks. Its success has been aided by its perceived impartiality in the conflict; its multilateral, activist, peace-oriented foreign policy portfolio; and its cordial external relations with regional countries, including both North and South Korea, and globally. This article seeks to contribute to the understanding of the varied abilities, strategies, and sources of advantage employed by small states to project power and raise their influence in regional affairs by exploring the case of Mongolia.