Proxy war

A proxy war is a type of armed conflict. It happens when a third-party power supports another group to fight. This third party is called a sponsor. The group receiving the help is called a proxy. A proxy might be a government or a smaller group. Sometimes, both sides in a fight receive help from outside countries. In these cases, both sides are considered proxies.

Sponsors often provide money and weapons to their proxies. This help allows the proxy to fight and keep power. However, this relationship can sometimes be difficult to manage. A sponsor might find they cannot control what the proxy does. This is known as a principal-agent problem.

Proxy wars have been part of history for a very long time. During the Middle Ages, some states used them as a tool. The Byzantine Empire used them to influence their rivals. During the Hundred Years' War, France and England supported privateers. These were people who attacked merchant ships at sea. In the past, the Ottoman Empire used Barbary pirates as proxies. These pirates would harass powers in the Mediterranean Sea. Later, the British government helped organize the Arab Revolt. They did this to weaken the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

In the twentieth century, these wars took on new meanings. After the Spanish Civil War, wars often involved different ideas. Italy and Germany supported fascist ideas in that conflict. The Soviet Union supported communist ideas instead. This allowed them to test weapons and tactics without fighting each other directly. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union used proxies often. They feared that a direct war could lead to nuclear weapons being used. Using proxies felt like a safer way to handle their disagreements.

There are many reasons why a nation might choose a proxy war. It can be much cheaper than sending a national army. Supporting smaller groups or using old equipment saves money. It also helps nations avoid bad reactions from the United Nations. Some leaders also worry about what their own citizens think. In the United States, many people did not want to fight long wars. This feeling is sometimes called the Vietnam Syndrome. This happened after the Vietnam War and influenced later choices.

Proxy wars can have a very heavy impact on local areas. They often make conflicts last much longer and become more intense. The Soviet-Afghan War cost billions of dollars and many lives. This war even helped lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the Middle East, conflicts between Saudi Arabia and Iran involve proxies. These fights have caused great damage to buildings and roads. Since 2011, more than 500,000 people have died in the Syrian Civil War. These wars make it much harder for people to reach peace deals.