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.

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