A proxy war is a military conflict where one or more external third-party powers support state or nonstate combatants without directly engaging in the fighting themselves. These third parties provide military aid, training, economic assistance, or limited operations through surrogate forces to influence the conflict's outcome and advance their own strategic interests while avoiding direct confrontation
. Proxy wars often occur when major powers seek to compete for influence and resources indirectly, especially to avoid the risks of direct war, such as nuclear conflict or negative international repercussions. For example, during the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union supported opposing sides in conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War without fighting each other directly
. Such wars typically involve local factions or countries acting as proxies for larger powers. The sponsors may provide weapons, funding, or other support, but the actual fighting is done by the proxy forces. This arrangement can lead to prolonged conflicts, often with severe humanitarian consequences, including famine and displacement
. Recent examples include the civil war in Yemen, where Iran and Saudi Arabia back opposing sides, and the conflict in Ukraine, where the US and NATO support Ukraine while Russia receives backing from China and Iran
. Proxy wars carry moral and strategic risks, such as enabling authoritarian regimes, escalating local conflicts, and undermining diplomatic solutions. Despite these risks, proxy wars remain a common strategy for major powers to pursue their interests without direct military confrontation
. In summary, a proxy war is a conflict fought by smaller or local forces but heavily influenced and supported by larger external powers who avoid direct combat themselves
