Negotiation has become for many military leaders a daily task in their role of stabilizing, securing, transitioning, and reconstructing. Negotiation is a means of providing commanders with an alternative to solutions involving the use of force. Negotiation serves as a means by which parties can effectively coordinate their activities and develop mutually acceptable agreements on the basis of interests and positions. Whether used in the context of conflict or cooperation, negotiation is a powerful tool for operational commanders to use in promoting stability and in fostering fruitful, cooperative relations. Successful negotiation outcomes are most prevalent where both parties to the negotiation feel they have gained part of their desired outcome. This is known as a non-zero sum, or 'win-win' outcome. This is achieved through multiple interactions between actors using bargaining power, psychological approaches, and negotiating strategies. The most successful are those where the actor with the most bargaining power chooses not to dominate the negotiation, creating a non-confrontational relationship, leading to cooperative rather than competitive strategies.

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