"A proxy war is an armed conflict between two states or non-state actors, one or both of which act at the instigation or on behalf of other parties that are not directly involved in the hostilities. [1] In order for a conflict to be considered a proxy war, there must be a direct, long-term relationship between external actors and the belligerents involved. [2] The aforementioned relationship usually takes the form of funding, military training, arms, or other forms of material assistance which assist a belligerent party in sustaining its war effort. [2]"
IOW, we're at war with Russia.
Effects
The U.S.-supported Contra rebels in Nicaragua, 1985
Proxy wars can have a huge impact, especially on the local area. A proxy war with significant effects occurred between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Vietnam War. In particular, the bombing campaign Operation Rolling Thunder destroyed significant amounts of infrastructure, making life more difficult for the North Vietnamese. Also, unexploded bombs dropped during the campaign have killed tens of thousands since the war ended, not only in Vietnam but also in Cambodia and Laos. [25] Also significant was the Soviet–Afghan War (see Operation Cyclone), which cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars, [26] bankrupting the Soviet Union and contributing to its collapse. [10]
The conflict in the Middle East between Saudi Arabia and Iran is another example of the destructive impact of proxy wars. The conflict, in conjunction with US-led invasions and interventions as part of the War on Terror, has contributed to, among other things, the Syrian Civil War, the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the current civil war in Yemen, and the re-emergence of the Taliban[ citation needed]. Since 2003, nearly 500,000 have died in Iraq. [27] Since 2011, more than 500,000 have died in Syria. [28] In Yemen, over 1,000 have died in just one month. [29] In Afghanistan, more than 17,000 have been killed since 2009. [30] In Pakistan, more than 57,000 have been killed since 2003. [31]
In general, lengths, intensities, and scales of armed conflicts are often greatly increased if belligerents' capabilities are augmented by external support. Belligerents are often less likely to engage in diplomatic negotiations, peace talks are less likely to bear fruit, and damage to infrastructure can be many times greater. [32] [33] |
