A proxy war is an armed conflict between two states or non-state actors, one or both of which act at the instigation or on behalf of other parties that are not directly involved in the hostilities. In order for a conflict to be considered a proxy war, there must be a direct, long-term relationship between external actors and the belligerents involved. The aforementioned relationship usually takes the form of funding, military training, arms, or other forms of material assistance which assist a belligerent party in sustaining its war effort.
Proxy wars have a long history in world affairs, and nations and empires have used them as both military and foreign policy strategies to influence or even subdue neighboring states. They enable major powers to avoid direct confrontation with each other as they compete for influence and resources. Proxies offer a way of fighting that can limit escalation, and states often deny that they are supporting proxies.
Some notable examples of proxy wars include the civil war in Yemen, which began in 2014 and involves a major clash between the militant Houthi movement, supported by Iran, and Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies. Another example is the conflict in Syria, where various regional and global powers have supported different factions in the ongoing civil war.
Engaging in proxy wars carries significant moral and strategic risks, particularly for democratic countries that support constitutional government and human rights. These risks include facilitating the emergence of a political or military dictatorship, as well as the potential for unintended escalation and the loss of control over the proxy forces.
In summary, a proxy war is an armed conflict between two states or non-state actors, one or both of which act at the instigation or on behalf of other parties that are not directly involved in the hostilities. Proxies offer a way of fighting that can limit escalation, but engaging in proxy wars carries significant moral and strategic risks.
