# Hidden means of pressure in international relations There are indeed some less open but effective pressure methods in international relations. These methods are usually not as obvious as military threats, but they may be equally effective.： -**Economic tools**: Manipulating the terms of trade, selectively delaying or speeding up the approval process, and setting up technical barriers -**Information manipulation**: Strategic information leakage, targeted media publicity, support for specific research or think tanks to publish favorable reports -**Diplomatic means**: Selectively support or oppose proposals in multilateral settings, and use procedural rules to hinder the opponent's agenda -**Legal channels**: Strategically initiate international legal proceedings and creatively interpret treaties -**Agent action**: exerting influence through third-party state or non-state actors The common feature of these methods is to maintain a certain degree of deniability while sending a clear signal to the target country. Studying these methods helps to understand the complexity of contemporary international relations, but the practical application requires consideration of ethical and legal boundaries.