Proxy War

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

A conflict in which a major power supports one or more belligerent parties — providing weapons, funding, intelligence, or training — to advance its own geopolitical interests without directly engaging in combat

History and origin

Cold War term for conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Angola, Nicaragua, and Afghanistan where the US and USSR backed opposing sides

Examples

• The Syrian civil war became a proxy war involving the US, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Gulf states.
• Proxy wars allow great powers to compete while avoiding the risks of direct military confrontation.

Synonyms: indirect conflict, sponsored conflict