What is a Proxy War?

A proxy war is a conflict between two states or non-state actors in which neither initiates direct military action against the other or openly declares war. Instead, they use third-party forces to do the fighting on their behalf, providing the conflict with a level of distance, both political and physical. This can include support through the provision of arms, money and military training, as well as the more covert provision of agents and other forms of support for the fighting force. The term gained common usage during the Cold War, when the two superpowers – the United States and the Soviet Union – used allies, for want of a better word, to fight their proxy battles.

The Significance of Proxy Wars

Because of the physical distance between the two warring factions, proxy wars can be useful for those nations unable to openly fight each other due to international laws or treaties. Instead, they can have their interests or ideals advanced without being directly involved in the conflict. The use of proxies can also potentially inflict serious damage to the military of another nation without sparking an all-out conflict that could easily escalate in to a full-scale war.

Examples of Proxy Wars

The Vietnam War is often seen as one of the greatest examples of proxy warfare during the Cold War. Between 1955 to 1975, the US and the Soviet Union supported North and South Vietnam respectively, in what was ultimately a conflict that resulted in the division of the country. More recently, the civil wars in Iraq and Syria, which have been heavily influenced by Russia, Iran, and the US, are generally regarded as proxy wars in their own right.

The use of proxy forces, rather than direct arm-on-arm combat, continues to be popular amongst nations. By employing third-party forces to do the fighting, nations can advance their regional interests without being dragged into a protracted conflict. However, as history has demonstrated on more than one occasion, proxy wars can quickly become anything but distant, with calamitous consequences for all involved.