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Edit for Proxy war
This article is about the type of war. For a list of proxy wars, see List of proxy wars. Not to be confused with Proxy fight.
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The term proxy war has a variety of definitions,[1] but due to the wide variety of wars which are considered proxy wars, it is best defined as a war in which a war is fought between two or more entities, one or more of whom is used or supported by another country, in order to achieve the goals of the supporting country.
Proxy wars have been common since the end of World War II and the rise of the Cold War. This is for a number of reasons. During the Cold War, this was because that there was a fear that direct conflict between the USA and USSR would result in a nuclear war and the total annihilation of all participants[2] (see mutually assured destruction). In addition, the USSR, especially towards the end, didn’t have a large enough pool of resources to directly fight the USA,[3] and the media had and still has heavy influence on policy in the USA.[4] Often following major wars, the media and general population hold antiwar views. When this happens, the USA has needed to provide heavy justification to go to war. When unable to do so, the USA has resorted to having other entities fight the wars. An example of this circumstance was when the USA didn’t get directly involved in the Soviet-Afghan War, instead choosing to supply and fund the Mujahideen.[5] Note that the Soviet-Afghan War happened a short time after the Vietnam War.
Proxy wars can start as independent conflicts, but develop into proxy wars as major powers seek to protect their interests. For example, the Spanish Civil War began as a civil war between the pro-fascist revolutionary Nationalists under General Francisco Franco and the supporters of the Spanish Republic, called the Republicans. However, it developed into a proxy war as Nazi Germany and its allies began supporting the Nationalists, while the USSR, Mexico and a bunch of international volunteers supported the Republicans.[6]
Reasons for Proxy Wars
There are many reasons why countries may fight proxy wars. One of them involves the military strength of the two countries. Let's say that Country A and Country B are bitter enemies, and Country A is significantly stronger than Country B. If Country B wants to eliminate Country A, then it is in Country B's best interest to use a proxy war, since Country B doesn't stand a chance in direct conflict. A real-world example of this is the Arab-Israeli conflict. This conflict developed into a proxy war following Israel's decisive defeat of the Arab coalitions in the First Arab-Israeli War, Six-Day War and Yom Kippur War. The Arab countries realized they couldn't defeat Israel in direct conflict, and have since resorted to funding terrorist organizations, such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
Another reason countries, particularly democracies and other countries with media-driven societies, might fight a proxy war involves public support for the war. As mentioned earlier in the article, this was a major reason why the USA didn't get directly involved in the Soviet-Afghan War, instead funding the Mujahideen. Following the Vietnam War, the American public had no intention of getting caught up in another war.
Another reason countries might fight a proxy war, though this primarily applies to the modern world, is international reaction. Let's say Country C and Country D are rivals, and they're both dependent on Country E for revenue. If Country E has threatened to cut off trade with any country that provokes a war, then neither Country C or Country D would benefit from starting a war. They might instead choose to fight each other using proxies. An modern-day example of this involves Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia and Iran have very tense relations. However, both countries would likely get punished economically for provoking a war, and so have resorted to fighting each other with proxy wars, including the Syrian Civil War and the current Suadi-led military intervention in Yemen.
Effects of Proxy Wars
Proxy wars can have a huge impact on the world, especially the local area. The Syrian Civil War, a proxy war between Saudi Arabia, the USA and the European Union and Iran and Russia, has resulted in the deaths of 220,000 people and the displacement of over one million.[7]
See Also
References
Citations
- ^ "proxy war." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.definitions.net/definition/proxy+war>.
- ^ Robert Wilde. "Mutually Assured Destruction." About Education. About.com, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/glossary/g/glmad.htm>
- ^ Prof CJ. "Ep. 0014: Fall of the Soviet Empire." Prof CJ, 21 July 2014. MP3 file.
- ^ Dr. Anthony R. Curtis. "Mass Media Influence on Society." University of North Carolina at Pembroke, 23 June 2012. PDF file.
- ^ The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1499983/Soviet-invasion-of-Afghanistan>
- ^ The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Spanish Civil War." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Brittanica, Inc., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/558032/Spanish-Civil-War>
- ^ "Syria Civil War Fast Facts." CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., 13 April 2015. Web. 27 April 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/27/world/meast/syria-civil-war-fast-facts/index.html>
