中ちゅう間かん国こく

noun

buffer state

A country situated between two larger, often rival powers, serving to reduce the possibility of conflict.

• その小しょう国こくは二に大たい国こくの間あいだに位い置ちする中ちゅう間かん国こくとして機き能のうしている。

  That small country functions as a buffer state between the two great powers.