Proxy War
A conflict between two parties (typically used for nations) where neither party directly engages the other, and instead finds themselves battling in a third location, such as another nation, platform, or market.
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Origin
While proxy conflicts have ancient roots, the term gained prominence during the Cold War (1947–1991), when the United States and Soviet Union supported opposing forces to avoid direct nuclear confrontation. The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) pioneered ideological proxy warfare, with fascist and communist powers supporting opposing sides. Major Cold War proxy wars included Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Angola, allowing superpowers to compete without catastrophic direct warfare.
Updated February 22, 2026