It also addresses two different types of leverage: direct leverage and indirect leverage. The framework further emphasises the need to examine leverage in relation to different phases in the mediation process. To underline the findings, the article addresses the early United Nations (UN) mediation attempts in Syria in 2012. The results indicate that, without a proper consideration of the mediation phase, the discussion of mediation leverage is incomplete. Finally, the article provides a theoretical platform for further leverage research.