proxy wars
Definition
Proxy wars are conflicts where two opposing countries or powers support combatants that serve their interests instead of engaging in war directly with each other. These wars often occur in a third country that becomes the battlefield for the proxy forces supported by these major powers.
Analogy
Imagine two chess masters who, instead of playing against each other directly, coach different teams in a tournament. The teams fight the battles on the chessboard, but they do so under the guidance and for the objectives of their respective masters.
Related terms
Cold War: A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, marked by proxy wars, nuclear arms race, and political disputes.
Balance of Power: A principle in international relations that aims to prevent any one country from becoming too dominant by balancing its power against that of others.
Realism: A theory in international relations that emphasizes competitive self-interest and power politics as fundamental to understanding state behavior
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