What are proxy wars?

Proxy wars are conflicts where opposing countries support aligned combatants without directly engaging in combat themselves. This type of warfare allows nations to pursue their strategic interests and influence outcomes in another region without the risks associated with direct military engagement. Instead of sending troops or conducting airstrikes, a nation may provide financing, training, weapons, or intelligence to a group fighting against an opposing force.

Proxy wars are often seen in the context of larger geopolitical struggles, where the proxy conflicts serve as a means to exert influence or destabilize a rival without escalating to full-scale war. Historical examples include the Vietnam War, the Syrian civil war, and the Cold War conflicts where superpowers such as the United States and the Soviet Union backed different factions in various countries.

This distinction highlights the more indirect nature of such conflicts, setting it apart from outright war between nations, humanitarian interventions, or formal military alliances.