Proxy Wars
Definition
Proxy wars are conflicts instigated by major powers that do not themselves become involved. They were common during the Cold War, where both superpowers would support different sides in regional conflicts to gain influence.
Analogy
Think of proxy wars like two puppet masters controlling different puppets (countries) on a stage (the world), making them fight each other while they stay behind the scenes.
Related terms
Vietnam War: This was a long, costly armed conflict between communist North Vietnam and its allies against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. It's like a brutal tug-of-war with many players involved on both sides.
Korean War: This was a war fought between North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by United Nations forces primarily from the United States). Picture it as two siblings fighting over control of their shared room with their friends backing them up.
Cuban Missile Crisis: This was a 13-day confrontation between U.S. and Soviet Union initiated by American ballistic missile deployment in Italy and Turkey with consequent Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba. Imagine it as two kids pointing toy guns at each other, waiting for who blinks first.
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